Photographic evidence from the early 20th century shows that anthropomorphic figures carved out of fern tress were placed along the roads in the old mountain provinces. Fern sculpture may have been used as boundary marker between feuding villages. The production and use of fern sculpture continues in some Ifugao villages nowadays. Figurative sculptures carved on spoons form part of the Linden-Museum’s collection. These spoons were never used; rather they were possibly carved for exhibition at the 1904 St. Louis World Fair.
Text: Prof. Dr. Leah Abayao