Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Trobriand Islands, Massim people, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A hand-carved openwork wooden canoe prow or stern ornament painted red, black, and white across both sides known as a munkuris that acted as a symbolic and protective feature which came in identical pairs, one for the prow and one for the stern. Canoes were essential to the seafaring Massim, and their vessels were sacred and adorned with finials and ornate splash guard to provide symbolic protection via the carved motifs, physical protection from waves, and to identify distant boats. The birds on this example symbolized the act of taking flight when embarking on voyage and held mythical significance. Size: 24" L x 14.5" W (61 cm x 36.8 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Bishop Family Trust collection, the Trust of the late Bill Bishop, a noted antiquarian with shops in Scottsdale, Arizona and Allenspark, Colorado, USA, acquired before 2010

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Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#173565

  • Condition: Repaired, and one bird reattached. Loss to tail tips of both birds. Surface abrasions and nicks. Fading and chipping to pigments, but good remains of red and black pigments. Old inventory number on rod tip.

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August 11, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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