Oceania, eastern Papua New Guinea, Huon Gulf, ca. late 19th century CE. A splendid and sizable hand-carved wood food pounder of columnar form surmounted by a double-pointed finial. Displaying a flat annular base for pounding foodstuffs, the intriguing tool tapers to a long handle with its mid-section adorned by an anthropomorphic carving of the torso of a bearded figure, who displays a broad nose, heavy brow, and raised, openwork arms reaching behind his head. Wooden implements like this example are used to pound sago, a starch extracted from the spongy center of various tropical palm stems and a major food staple for indigenous Papuans. Size: 2.125" in diameter x 34.75" H (5.4 cm x 88.3 cm); 35.5" H (90.2 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#142694

Collection labels on side and base. Proper left arm of figural carving has been reattached. Chips to pounding head and side. Some nicks and abrasions as shown. Otherwise, intact and very nice with rich patina throughout.