Lot 6B
Oceania, Melanesia, Papua New Guinea, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. An impressive early 20th century wood Gope Board, or spirit board, intricately carved and inlaid with four cowrie shell eyes. Originating from the Gulf of Papua, such boards were created by the Kikori, Baimaru, Uruma, Hohao, and Orokolo peoples. Traditionally carved from old canoe planks - objects imbued with the essence of the clan - Gope Boards served as potent links between the material and spiritual realms. The present example displays the characteristic elongated form with symmetrical, curvilinear designs running the length of the surface, punctuated by the four gleaming shell inlays representing the watchful gaze of the inhabiting spirit. At the apex, a boldly rendered bird-like visage with a pronounced beak and large shell-inlaid eyes commands attention, while the remainder of the board is filled with rhythmic oval and crescent motifs. Pigments in earthy reds and blacks remain faintly visible, lending depth to the incised decoration. Size: 41.6" L x 7.1" W (105.7 cm x 18 cm)
Gope Boards are believed to embody protective spirits - often revered ancestors - capable of traveling underground to ward off enemies and safeguard the clan. Larger boards were communal property stored within men's longhouses, medium-sized boards guarded clan entrances, and smaller examples belonged to young, uninitiated men, offering them strength and protection. The artistry in such works reflects a deep understanding of both carving traditions and the symbolic language of the Papuan Gulf peoples. This example's fine preservation, bold facial features, and multiple shell inlays mark it as a powerful ceremonial object and a striking testament to the enduring cultural heritage of Papua New Guinea.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
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#195941
- Condition: Some light surface wear with a few small nicks and abrasions, but, otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive detail and nice remaining pigments. Suspension wire on verso for display.
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