The artists of the Tami Islands, a group of small islets off the eastern tip o the Huon Peninsula, were the most prolific carvers in northeast New Guinea.
Tami carvers produced large quantities of objects, in part for local use bu primarily for trade to neighboring groups. The most important Tami trad goods were intricately carved hardwood bowls, which formed an essentia component of the bride-wealth gifts exchanged at marriage ceremonie throughout the region. Superbly crafted and highly polished, Tami bowl served as ceremonial vessels, used for the preparation and distribution o food during feasts and rituals. This bowl likely depicts the face of a spirit,