Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik River province, North Coast, Boiken peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A fabulous hand-carved wooden guardian figure wearing an elaborate headdress, accentuated with painted motifs, and inlaid cowrie shells. The figure has both anthropomorphic and zoomorphic features; with a human body, standing upon an integral, knob-like base, facing forward with hands at sides resting upon boldly carved legs. The oversized head is avian, with an abstract visage of inlaid cowrie shell eyes and a protruding pointy beak with nostrils. The verso features a ridged, crocodile tail emerging from his rear. The figure is painted black with linear white and red motifs highlighting the surface. The Boiken people are traditionally an animist culture, and this human-animal hybrid provides an interesting example of their visual culture! Size: 11.5" L x 3.5" W (29.2 cm x 8.9 cm)

Provenance: private Lowe Collection, Salt Lake City, Utah, USA acquired 1980s

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#138347

  • Condition: Chips and nicks to high pointed areas. Chip and loss to tip of pedestal. Stable hairline fissure across head. Old inactive insect holes. Nice remaining painted pigments.

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April 15, 2021 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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