Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, Iatmul culture, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A tall bamboo pole surmounted by a woven cane and rattan figure (head now missing), with a bark shield-like panel at the front painted with bold geometric patterns and horizontal spikes projecting from the sides. The bamboo is ingeniously split at the top to create the warps, while a thick cane weft is interlaced through the structure to form a tubular torso, further articulated with wrapped cords that define the raised arms and hands. Long tassels of raffia add movement and texture, enhancing the figure's ceremonial presence. The absent head was likely once a human skull, overmodeled with clay and painted, serving as a reliquary element intended to honor and commemorate an ancestral spirit. Size: 11" W x 88" H (27.9 cm x 223.5 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#195688

  • Condition: Missing the head. Active flaking to the raffia tassels. Bamboo pole has wide pressure fissures.

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February 1, 2026 12:00 PM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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