Melanesia, Solomon Islands, 20th century. A carved horn hook with a slender figural shaft: a stylised human face with large eyes and a crested head is carved near the top, above a column of incised and openwork ornament, ending in a curved hook. It is shown mounted on a metal rod and base.

Hooks of this kind were hung from rafters to keep food and bags out of reach of rats and dogs. The carved figure, often an ancestor or guardian spirit, gave both decoration and protection. Field collected.