Sculpture Papua New Guinea and Surrounds PAGE 1.
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| DM0097SM SEPIK RIVER SKULL DISPLAY more... | DM0097SM (DETAIL) | DM0097SM (REAR) | DM00106SM SEPIK RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER more... | DM00106SM (DETAIL FRONT) | DM00106SM (REAR) | DM00106SM (DETAIL BACK) |
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| DM00155SI MBITORO MIMIKA ANSCESTOR POLE more... | DM00155SI (SIDE) | DM00155SI (DETAIL) | DM0083SM Sepik Ancestor Sculpture more... | DM0083SM (REAR) | DM0048SM Female Ansceator Figure more... | DM0048SM (REAR) |
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| DM00107SM RAMU RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER more... | DM00107SM (DETAIL) FRONT | DM00107SM (DETAIL) | DM00107SM RAMU RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER | DM00107SM (DETAIL) | DM00107SM (DETAIL) | DM00123SM Solomon Islands Contemporary Ebony sculpture more... |
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| DM00145SMCOASTAL SEPIK POUNDER more... | DM00145SM(SIDE) | DM00145SM (REAR) | DM00164SM Korowori River Figure more... | DM00164SM (REAR) | DM00215SP Polynesian Ceremonial Suspension Hook FIJI more... | DM00215SP (FRONT) |
DM0097SM SEPIK RIVER SKULL DISPLAY
Catalogue #_DM__0097SM___________
Item _ SEPIK SKULL DISPLAY
Dimensions: Ht.= 198cm W.= 32cm D.= 17cm
Description (physical):
Wooden skull carrier with painted or blackened surface. Detachable skull model on the body.Raffia waistband. Male figure with crocodile scarification.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
This skull carrier is from the Middle Sepik. I bought it from a dealer who acquired it from a canoe owner in the Sepik and so that maybe the possible reason for the fiberglass repair to the body of the sculpture. I have seen others in auctions and dealers in Australia and I would love to know of more.
DM00106SM SEPIK RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER
Catalogue #_DM___00106SM__________
Item__SEPIK RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER
Dimensions: Ht.= 252cm W.= 27cm D.=27cm
Description (physical):
Four wooden steps with faces carved in them with a female squatting figure at the top. The figure with pendulus breasts and bared teeth.The rear of the sculpture has the figure carved but the stair undecorated.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
These large stairs are not for the house but are used as a means to enter the Haus Tambaran in the Sepik river area. This piece used to adorn the house of a dealer in Sydney for a while before I purchased it in 2000.I dont know the village or the people who made this item and would like to do so.
DM00155SI MBITORO MIMIKA ANCESTOR POLE
Catalogue #_DM__00155SI___________ Item_MIMIKA _Ancestor Pole Dimensions: Ht.= 269cm W.= 19cm D.= 19cm Description (physical): This piece was reputedly collected by a well known dealer for another Sydney based company when he was freelance. I own the field photos and have included it here to show the difference in colour when the artefact was originally painted in the field. I have been told that this piece is in fact a weemaway as it has no protrusions at the top of the head and there is no evidence that this has ever been there. I am inclined believe this but would like confirmation. A European dealer told me a facinating story related to these sculptures once. He said that they were coloured red and blue due to chemicals with an acid or alkaline base. This was the deemed magical in the area as the people could see the colour change before their eyes. Similar sculpures illustrated: |
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| Field photo of DMOO155SI with owner /vendor in the field along with other poles for sale. |
DM0083SM Sepik Ancestor Sculpture
Catalogue #_DM_0083SM
Item___Sepik Ancestor Figure
Dimensions: Ht.=95cm W.= 23cm D.=20cm
Description (physical):
Wooden carved zoomorphic figure. Large blade like face with string and string on the knobs on the back. String attached to the arms as bracelets. The figure is stained in black with some whitening around the beard of the face.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
This ancestor figure has a reptilian or crocodilian phallus. The rear of the figure has a tail with knobs up the spinal cord.
This figure is half man half crocodile. The head has numerous spikes which I am not sure the meaning. The eyes originally would have had shell inlays but now are gone. The large triangular nose truncates into a cylindrical round protrusion which joins the blade closer to the chin.
Acquired in 1997
Similar pieces illustrated in:
This piece is as yet too modern to have been illustrated in North Amrican or European collections. I have seen by the same artist evidently a decorated piece that was bar the paint nearly Identical but at a Sydney Auction House in the late '90's.
DM0048SM Female Ancestor Figure
Catalogue #_DM__0048SM___________
Item__FEMALE ANCESTOR FIGURE
Dimensions: Ht.= 126cm W.= 26cm D.=20cm
Description (physical):
Wooden sculpture of a possible modern version of a Nogwi. The figure has a protruding genital area and triangular breasts. The face is angular with protruding eyes and tongue sticking out.. The whole fugure is kneeling down and is on a domed base. Painted or stained in black.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
I know relatively little about this piece bar that it is from the Sepik possibly a Nogwi but an exteremely moderen version of one. I love the modernity and cheek of the whole piece. She seems to literally be sticking her tongue out at you in a cheeky fashion.
Bought in Sydney 1999
DM00107SM RAMU RIVER HAUS TAMBARAN LADDER
Catalogue #_DM 00107SM_____________
Item__RAMU RIVER CEREMONIAL LADDER
Dimensions: Ht.= 316cm W.= 17cm D.= 23cm
Description (physical):
Wooden sculpture of a ladderwith six faces depicted. The top has an abstract cro9codile totem depicted. The rear is uncarved but the the sides have a typical scroll motif also shown around the carved faces on the front.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
This ladder is for the same purpose as DM00106SM but from the Ramu instead of the Sepik. The faces show a great deal of wear and show that the piece was certainly used as a ladder. It was used to enter and exit the ceremonial house in the Ramu area.The top of the piece shows a totem and is fairly abstract i its execution. This item was bought with a label which read " BAN WATAM MADE BY BABO OWNER LAWRENCE SIKI" I would like to know more about this item and whatever the label might mean.
I also wish to know of other illustrations and references.
Purchased in 2000
DM00123SM Solomon Islands Contemporary Ebony sculpture
Catalogue #_DM_00123SM____________
Item__ SOLOMON ISLANDS CONTEMPORARY EBONY ROOT SCULPTURE
Dimensions: Ht.= 60cm W.= 45cm D.=34cm
Description (physical):
Black ebony root carved with all the sea creatures and fish.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
I dont know much about this piece bar that it is from the Solomons .It is contemporary and that it is a great piece of modern decorative art that many artist friends admire. It may not be ethnographically important . I dont know but it is a well carved piece from a natural root and really makes an impact. I would like to know more if any information is available.
DM00145SM COASTAL SEPIK POUNDER
Catalogue #_DM 00145SM__________
Item__COASTAL SEPIK POUNDER
Dimensions: Ht.= 50cm W.= 10cm D.=10cm
Description (physical):
Human figure with cuscus or zoomorphic apex(lizard?) above a pounder.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
I know this piece is a pounder and is coastal Sepik but I know nothing else and would like to know more. The function and if there are any more in public or private collections.
Similar sculpures illustrated:
Sothebys NY 19/5/00 lot # 136 also Hallinan collection lot #11
BOIS SCULPTE DES MERS DU SUD for similar piece Museum of Geneva.
DM00164SM Korowori River Figure
Catalogue #_DM_00164SM____________
Item_ Male Figure _SKIAUMP VILLAGE
Dimensions: Ht.= 51cm W.= 16cm D.= 13cm
Description (physical):
Wooden sculpture with areas of restoration.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
This figure was bought directly from Peter Hallinan and was collected by him in the Upper Karawari river area of Wogupmeri river , Skiaump Village. A near identical piece is illustrated in Sotheby ,London 1992 lot # 67. This piece was restored by the purchaser. I like this piece as it has a lovely feel to it. One of the eyes has been restored but the figure still works and sits beautifully. I would love to know more of the function of this piece.
Similar sculpures illustrated:
DM00215SP Polynesian Ceremonial Suspension Hook FIJI
Catalogue #_DM__00215SP___________
Item__FIGIAN CEREMONIAL HOOK
Dimensions: Ht.= 65cm W.= 25cm D.=25cm
Description (physical):
Sennit rope holding a ceremonial hook . Double female figure in very hard dense wood above a series of hooks and roundels. Evidence of the splits in the wood having been filled by ships caulk.
Description (ethnographic/ historic including provenance)
I have read that this sculpture is of an image that originated from Tonga. It is suppsed to depict a goddess called Lilavatu , wife of the chief god of Nandi. She was said to bae a dangerous Goddess with a thin squeaky voice. If people failed to make offerings to her she could cause swollen necks or they died in war.
I have been told that this sculpture is probably a tourist copy of the ivory double figure in England. I do think though that it may be some part of a cargo cult and that the original purpose of manufacture is now long gone.It is a very impressive sculpture and would have taken a long while to carve even with modern or rather metal tools. I also realise that the piece is not Melanesian but still I have included it here in this section of the collection.
Similar sculpures illustrated:
Near identical sculpture in ivory and much ,much smaller in the Pit Rivers Museum collected by Lord Stanmore(Sir Arthur Gordon) 1870's. Ilustrated in Oceanic Mythology 1967 page 84