Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, probably Iatmul people, ca. early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden canoe prow in the form of a catfish. In the past and today, the prows of large canoes in this culture are carved, often in the form of animals with mystical connections. The sacred catfish has a long fin atop its head, with two holes, one on either side of the fin; below that, its eyes are large and painted black and white. A line of carved gills/scales, with a projecting forming the mouth. The body is mainly painted a deep, earthy red, much of which remains today. Size: 13.8" W x 21.7" H (35.1 cm x 55.1 cm)

Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection; ex-Ron Perry collection; Ron Perry collected art and artifacts for more than 40 years in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He collaborated with Carolyn Leigh to write a book entitled, "Art Dealer in the Last Unknown: Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972" (2011)

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#129965

  • Condition: Surface cracks and expected wear on the wood, with small losses to edges and nose. Nice remaining pigment and form.

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January 4, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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