Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden food hook depicting a standing male figure holding a large fish by the tail. The man stands upon delineated legs with broad shoulders, well-defined musculature, and a segmented pendant around his neck. Cupped ears, a prominent nose, and a smiling mouth frame the stylized visage, and a pair of inset cowrie shells comprise the eyes. A second fish is situated in the center of the forehead and has a knotted grass thread fed through a small drilled hole. Though the points of the crescent-shaped hook are conjoined with the figure's elbows, the openwork design still allows food to be hung or draped before use. Size: 8" W x 22.8" H (20.3 cm x 57.9 cm).

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#142382

  • Condition: Small nicks to some high-point areas and around peripheries, with light softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and great brown patina throughout.

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January 10, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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