canoe prow carving

canoe prow representing an ancestor. (ethnology card)

Canoe prow carving (nguzunguzu, toto isu) made of carved wood and shell inlay. Carving is of two human figures, with hands of one figure clasping the other so that larger figure's chin is resting on the smaller figure's head. Figure has elongated ear lobes with shell inlay ear plugs. Shell inlays are present along the jaw, and are all present. Three circular inlays are around the figure's mouth. Shell inlay eyes. There is a lug at the back of the head with two pierced lashing holes. Two lines of shell inlay are present at the forehad as well as two lines of shell inlay at cheeks.