Description:

Oceania, North Vanuatu / South Solomon Islands/New Caledonia, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved, wooden club called a porowa ra maru, meaning "bird head," composed of a blunt, bird-headed form atop a long handle. The form is charmingly abstract, suggested by lines, with a feather-like protrusion from the back of the head, a thick curved line that seems to form a beak, and two raised, round eyes. Along the butt is a series of three anthropomorphic faces that look like masks. These clubs symbolized wealth and high rank, and they were sometimes given as ceremonial gifts. Size: 15.6" W x 49" H (39.6 cm x 124.5 cm); 52" H (132.1 cm) on included custom stand.

See a similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (2000.160.9).

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#133465

  • Condition: Light surface wear commensurate with age, including some small nicks and chips. Stable cracks in the wood, most notably one in the center of the handle. Nice matte patina from age and handling.

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September 27, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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