Description:

Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, early 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden "food hook" in the form of an abstract mask-like visage with bold features, with a petite stylized figure, who intriguingly seems to have suffered the ill effects of injury or disease as his left eye is disfigured and he is holding his left leg in his left hand, attached below. All is painted in a rich polychrome palette of red with cream on a black ground, and perched atop a two-pronged hook with design motifs that call to mind the ceremonial items of the yam festivals for which this area is known. Elaborate hooks like this one were used to preserve food; both by hanging them and by calling upon the spirit the indigenous believe is within them to slow spoilage. Size: 24.5" H (62.2 cm)

The entire figure is perched atop a two-pronged hook with an eye-like design in the center that calls to mind the ceremonial items of the yam festivals that this area is known for.

Provenance: private Healy collection, Studio City, California, USA, acquired over the last twenty years

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#132300

  • Condition: Some surface wear as shown. Raffia threaded through perforated ears and knob-like protrusion on top of head shows some loss. Wired for suspension on back of head.

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May 24, 2018 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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