Description:

**This is an oversized piece that may require special shipping. Please inquire for a quote prior to bidding.

Southeast Asia, Philippines, Ifugao culture, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. This is an impressive wooden staff covered in a black pigment with a finial of a seated man flanked by boar tusks! The cylindrical shaft tapers to a pointed tip capped by a conical iron piece - perhaps for standing upright in the ground when not held. The curved boar tusks are attached to the top with rattan fibers then covered in a pitch or resin. The crouching figure represents a protective ancestral effigy known as a bulul. This bulul is minimalist and stylized - his arms resting on his knees as he stares forward. Boars are associated with the practice of headhunting; they were considered animals of wealth and prestige, and their impressive tusks indicated social status. Such a staff was perhaps owned by a person of elite status as a marker of power and respect. Size: 5.35" W x 50" H (13.6 cm x 127 cm); 52" H (132.1 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010

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.

#168509

  • Condition: One tusk has a drill hole through the side, perhaps as previous use as a pendant. The resin is slightly cracked and flaked in small areas, but tusks are secure. Rest of staff and bulul is intact and excellent.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

April 14, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 26.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000