Description:

**Originally Listed At $500**

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.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.

#135677

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

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Bidder Can Make Shipping Arrangements, Local Pick-Up, In-House Shipping

December 29, 2025 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer’s premium, as outlined below, and any applicable taxes and shipping.
Buyer's Premium
$1 - $249,999:
32.50%
$250,000+:
27.50%

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 + $500