Lot 0146A

Large 20th C. PNG Sepik River Wood Ancestor Figure

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Large 20th C. PNG Sepik River Wood Ancestor Figure

Item Details

Description

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, Washkuk Hills, Kwoma people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. Impressive in both scale and skill - a magnificent hand-carved wood figural sculpture displaying the anthropomorphic head of an ancestor at the top attached to a lengthy board that tapers to a point at the opposite end, all adorned in white, red, and black pigments on natural woodgrain. Capped by a conical headdress with a flared finial and high-set ears, the huge head features a recessed visage comprised of annular openwork eyes and a smiling openwork mouth. A heavy brow sits above, with a lengthy nose drooping down from it, hovering over the rest of the face, and showcasing a drill hole at the end - either for suspending ornaments or the object itself. The elongated board-like body of the figure is lined with several upward-curving spikes along its periphery as though to resemble a crocodile and presents a slightly concave face with a projecting bowl and zoomorphic decorations. Size: 10.5" W x 71.125" H (26.7 cm x 180.7 cm)

Avian heads adorn 2 ends of the bowl, as well as the verso of the figure's headdress. Sculptures like this example were used to honor ancestors with the figure and animals serving to guard the ancestor's spirit. The piece may have also served as a reliquary with the ancestor's head being held in the bowl, strapped to via a rattan fiber rope wrapped around the object and held in place via the spiked periphery.

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#166757

Condition

Losses and repairs to spikes on peripheries. Stable fissure near bottom. Expected surface wear with abrasions, nicks, and chips, all commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice with liberal remains of pigments.

Buyer's Premium

26.5%

Large 20th C. PNG Sepik River Wood Ancestor Figure

Name: Large 20th C. PNG Sepik River Wood Ancestor Figure
SKU: 125697734
Price: 395 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $900 - $1,350

See Sold Price

Starting Price $450

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Artemis Gallery

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