Lot 306
**Originally Listed At $300**
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, ca. 20th century CE. A commanding 20th century carved and painted wood sculpture from Papua New Guinea, depicting a semi-nude female figure standing firmly with hands on her hips. The woman is portrayed with elongated, pendulous breasts, a detail often emphasizing fertility and maternal symbolism within Oceanic art. She wears a natural fiber grass skirt about her waist, and her piercing gaze is accentuated with inlaid cowrie shell eyes, a powerful medium traditionally believed to hold spiritual force. Her elaborate headdress rises dramatically above her head, surmounted by a pair of carved forms: a zoomorphic creature and an avian anthropomorph, their stylized bodies rendered in bold curves and patterns. The figure's face and torso are enhanced with painted pigments in earthen red, white, and black, creating dynamic contrast across the surface, while her stance - upright, solid, and assertive - conveys authority and presence. Size: 9.2" L x 7.5" W x 31.5" H (23.4 cm x 19 cm x 80 cm)
Works such as this embody the rich artistic heritage of Papua New Guinea, where sculptural forms frequently served ritual and communal functions, often representing ancestral spirits, protective beings, or mythological figures. The combination of human, animal, and avian motifs suggests layered symbolism and a deep connection to the natural and supernatural realms.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection, acquired between 1978-1990
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#197330
- Condition: Expected weathering with nicks and abrasions as well as fissures and splitting to wood. Good remaining detail and pigment.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $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 |