Lot 129
South Pacific, Papua New Guinea, Wanuma, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A wooden shoulder shield of an elongated rectangular form with a convex front and rounded corners, expertly carved with three stylized anthropomorphic visages and one zoomorphic face at its base. Presented as four registers, each face is separated by a decorativeband of ovals, which also caps the piece. Three of the faces appear to burst with energy, displaying large enthusiastic smiles, target-shaped eyes, pointed noses with dried grass septum ornaments, and triangular ears, enveloped in spikes, perhaps to represent fur. The base of the piece exhibits a visage with annular nostrils on an ovoid snout, a pair of egg-shaped eyes under pointed ears, and a spiked stripe falling down the snout, dividing the face vertically. Adorned in hues of beige, brown, and light orange, the prow additionally features russet-hued dried grass ornaments, which are tied to six apertures along two sides. Size: 11.5" W x 71.125" H (29.2 cm x 180.7 cm)
A rectangular wooden stake with a woven vegetal fiber grass basket sits at the top of this fine example. The verso is equipped with a handle formed from two paralell strips of wood tied together with vegetal fiber.
Provenance: ex-Thompson Collection, Florida, USA, 1980's; ex-Museum, Gainesville, Florida, USA , acquired in 1990, accession number AC09.1.55
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 and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#159399
- Condition: Liberal remains of grass ornaments. Some light nicks and scratches from age and use. Stable surface fissure to top left side. Otherwise, very nice with excellent remaining pigment.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of up to 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |