Human figure (female), carved from soft chalk limestone, painted red in places.After the death of a significant figure, kulap figures native to New Ireland were carved from chalk limestone and kept in a building especially designated for the deceased. Their function here was to act as a vessel for the soul of the deceased. It was held captive within the figure so that it could not harm the living. At the end of the funerary ceremonies, the figures were destroyed, so that the soul could finally depart the world of the living.