Lot 0184A

20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Head w/ Cowrie Shell Eyes

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20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Head w/ Cowrie Shell Eyes

Item Details

Description

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fabulous, hand-carved wooden portrait head of an ancestor. Sculpted from espresso-hued wood, the expressive visage displays an elongated brow, slanted, cowrie shell eyes, a projecting nose with a narrow nasal bridge and broad nostrils, full cheeks, and a smiling, open mouth showing 2 rows of intricately delineated teeth. A pair of protruding, high-set ears flank the fascinating face. Tribes along the Sepik River partake in a unique form of ancestral skull worship in which they preserve the skulls of their ancestors by coating them with clay and adorning them with shells, wood, human hair, fur, bones, and paint. During debates within the clan-house, tribesmen sit in a chair watched over by the ancestor heads when giving their arguments. Wooden heads like this one were carved in the likeness of an ancestor in order to replace a disintegrating, lost, or broken over-modelled ancestral skull. Size: 10.4" L x 6.3" W (26.4 cm x 16 cm); 14.3" H (36.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection, ex-M.B. Abrahm Gallery, Los Angeles, California, USA; ex-Wayne Heathcote collection, United Kingdom

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.

#135677

Condition

Repair to proper left eye. Expected nicks and abrasions to areas. Otherwise, excellent with rich patina.

Buyer's Premium

26.5%

20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Head w/ Cowrie Shell Eyes

Name: 20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Head w/ Cowrie Shell Eyes
SKU: 128435492
Price: 900 USD
Availability: InStock

Estimate $900 - $1,350

See Sold Price

Starting Price $450

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