|
HOME :
African & Tribal Art :
Oceanic Art : Sepik River Anthropomorphic Sculpture
|
 |
|
|
|
Sepik River Anthropomorphic Sculpture - PF.9871 (LSO)
Origin: Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
Circa: 19
th
Century AD
to 20
th
Century AD
Collection: Oceania
$6,000.00
Location: United States
|
|
|
| Photo Gallery |
|
|
| Description |
|
This enigmatic object comes from one of the
numerous tribes that occupy the Sepik River area
of Papua New Guinea. Its exact purpose is
uncertain. The design implies that is once held
some other object, such as textile, and it may
have been a handle, canoe prow or architectural
fragment. The detailing is intriguing, with a plain
horizontal bar, a crocodile (?) finial and a raised
promontory supporting a small human figure. It
appears to be male, seated on a small stool, with
hunched shoulders and a small skullcap. He is
holding something to his mouth, presumably a
musical instrument of some sort.
The Sepik River area has a reasonable claim to be
the most artistically prolific indigenous region in
the Southern hemisphere, and certainly in the
Antipodes. The economic wealth of the area,
which is extremely fertile and productive, has
given rise to numerous villages and indigenous
cultures that all produce figures, masks and
secular items. Human figures are considered to
be particularly important to Sepik sculptors,
often embodying ancestors, and could be used
for magical purposes.
This is a striking and powerful piece of Oceanic
art.
- (PF.9871 (LSO))
|
| |
|
