Early 20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Carving - Crocodile
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Description
**Originally Listed At $500**
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure of a crocodile's head. The carving is detailed, with raised ridges along the long snout and incised lines along its sides, creating the illusion of textured skin. Crosshatched circles at the back of the head give further texture to the surface. In the traditional lifestyle practiced along the tributaries of the huge Sepik River, people live in matrilineal clans, which are called "ghu." Each ghu has a set of totem animals and plants, with birds, fish, and other marine animals being the most important. This totemic carving of a crocodile would have been a treasured item to a kin group. Size: 16.5" W x 7.75" H (41.9 cm x 19.7 cm); 11.75" H (29.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection; ex-Ron Perry collection; Ron Perry collected art and artifacts for more than 40 years in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He collaborated with Carolyn Leigh to write a book entitled, "Art Dealer in the Last Unknown: Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972" (2011)
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#130006
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure of a crocodile's head. The carving is detailed, with raised ridges along the long snout and incised lines along its sides, creating the illusion of textured skin. Crosshatched circles at the back of the head give further texture to the surface. In the traditional lifestyle practiced along the tributaries of the huge Sepik River, people live in matrilineal clans, which are called "ghu." Each ghu has a set of totem animals and plants, with birds, fish, and other marine animals being the most important. This totemic carving of a crocodile would have been a treasured item to a kin group. Size: 16.5" W x 7.75" H (41.9 cm x 19.7 cm); 11.75" H (29.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection; ex-Ron Perry collection; Ron Perry collected art and artifacts for more than 40 years in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He collaborated with Carolyn Leigh to write a book entitled, "Art Dealer in the Last Unknown: Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972" (2011)
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#130006
Condition
Loss to tip of lower jaw. Areas of wear and roughness on surface commensurate with age. Nicely preserved details.
Buyer's Premium
- 24.5%
Early 20th C. Papua New Guinea Wood Carving - Crocodile
Estimate $800 - $1,200
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