# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Seal Impressions, c.2500-1500, was made of steatite ceramic.

# data[].attributes.body
According to Stokstad and Cothren, these Seal Impressions were part of the Indus Valley civilization in c. 2500- 1500. The scenes during this civilization "offer some insight into the religious or ritual customs of Indus people, whose deities may have been ancient prototypes of later Indian gods or goddesses." Although it is hard to understand the seal impression with our knowledge today, the man in a meditative posture was undertaken for spiritual purposes in multiple cultures throughout Asia. These seal impressions show the naturalism of what was going on during the Indus Valley civilization.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Ancestral Couple (Ana Deo), late 19th-early 20th century, was carved out of wood. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Ancestral Couple (Ana Deo)- late 19th-early 20th century

# data[].attributes.subject
Ancestral Couple (Ana Deo)- late 19th-early 20th century

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Met Museum, the Ancestral Couple (Ana Deo) was made in Indonesia, Flores Island, East Nusa Tenggara in the late 19th to early 20th century. It was made during the Nage culture, the ancestral couple representing the Naga people. Ana Deo also known as human figures represented "ancestors and other supernatural beings were frequently associated with ancestral shrines (heda)." Just like in different cultures and past centuries, sculptures and figures were made for offerings, used in ritual practices, and put on shrines. The carving out of eroded wood is the timestamp of Indonesia's 19th-century of artwork. Along with the material is the posture of the figures, the seated squatted pose has made it a compelling art piece.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Ancestor Figure (Korwar), late 19th-early 20th century, was carved out of wood and glass beads for the eyes.

# data[].attributes.headline
Ancestor Figure (Korwar)- late 19th-early 20th century

# data[].attributes.subject
Ancestor Figure (Korwar)- late 19th-early 20th century

# data[].attributes.body
According to the Met Museum, this Ancestor Figure (Korwar) was made in Indonesia, Papua Province(Irian Jaya), Cenderawasih Bay region in the late 19th-early 20th century. This Korwar, also known as the ancestor figure is from that Cenderawasih Bay culture that "exemplifies the distinctive approach to the human form that prompted many Surrealists to seek inspiration in Oceanic art." Oceanic art is defined as artwork pieces that were influenced by religion and rituals. Korwar in particular represents people who have recently passed away that "each served as a supernatural container into which the spirit of the newly deceased ancestor could be called for consultation or the presentation of offerings." All these different cultures throughout Indonesia used these wooden figures in similar ways to represent the beliefs of their culture.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Seated Male Figure, 19th century, was carved out of wood.

# data[].attributes.body
This Seated Male Figure was made in the 19th century and was said by the Met museum to be “found in a cave near Wagi village on Biak Island that was surrounded by skulls.” The skulls found in the cave can most likely represent the deceased person in which the figure was an offering. The “West Papua story” website emphasizes that “West Papua consists of many tribes within its province.” Although the Seated Male Figure was from one of the famous tribes called the “Biak tribe.” From the artistic perspective, the values of the society were expressed in the artwork through their traditions and beliefs.  This figure specifically represented the deceased by keeping their spirits alive in the form of carved wood.

# data[].attributes.attachment_caption
Asmat Ancestral Spirit Poles (BISJ), c. 1960, was made of wood, paint, palm leaves, and fiber. 

# data[].attributes.headline
Asmat Ancestral Spirit Poles (BISJ)- c. 1960

# data[].attributes.subject
Asmat Ancestral Spirit Poles (BISJ)- c. 1960

# data[].attributes.body
According to Stokstad and Cothren, this Asmat ancestral spirit pole was from the Buepis village, Fajit River, West Papua Province, Indonesia. The Buepis carved bisju poles that represented several deceased at the same time) and "organized a bisji feast, relatives publicly indicated their responsibility to avenged their head in the headhunting raid." This was their way of commemorating the deceased, but as well "served symbolically as the dugout canoe that would take the spirit of the deceased down the river to safan." Building wooden carved canoes was their way of keeping the spirit alive throughout the village and paying tribute. The intricate artistic details are what make these canoes special to the Buepis village. Stokstad and Cothren emphasize that "the figures on the poles represent the dead individuals who are to be avenged; small figures represent dead children." Asmat didn't have special bisji made depending on the class of the deceased person, all were commemorated in the same beautiful way.