Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, Iatmul people, ca. early 20th century CE. A tall and intriguing food hook, hand-carved from a single piece of wood, displaying unusual zoomorphic and anthropomorphic details. The slender handle has an abstract boar-like finial with perky ears, and a body that leads upwards to the legs of a standing anthropomorphic figure. The man is shown holding both arms against his chest, and his enormous head boasts squinting eyes, a prominent nose, and cupped ears. The back of his head doubles as the head of a circular-eyed avian figure whose sinuous beak serves as the actual hook. Painted with faded orange, yellow, and white motifs atop a dark-brown ground, this is a fabulous example from Papua New Guinea! Custom museum-quality display stand included. Size: 18.625" H (47.3 cm); 20.875" H (53 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#133517

  • Condition: Surface wear and abrasions commensurate with age and use, fading to pigmentation, small chips to anthropomorphic face, avian beak, body, and handle, and some light discoloration. Light earthen deposits within recessed areas.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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