Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, probably Sawos people, ca. early 20th century CE. An enormous carved wooden ancestor figure with a huge ovoid head, round, disc-like eyes, a long nose, and a rounded body with a large phallus. Instead of feet, the figure stands atop an integrally carved spade-like shape. Figures like this one are kept in the ceremonial houses for men in the society and represent powerful ancestral and totemic beings. Each clan in this society has a figure named for an important ancestor. Size: 8.95" W x 69.5" H (22.7 cm x 176.5 cm)

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)

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#130025

  • Condition: Wear commensurate with age, including inactive insect damage limited to a few places, surface cracks, and encrustation. One of the feet is separated from the bottom part with some loss around the separation, although it appears intact unless closely examined.

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February 15, 2018 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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