Lot 123F
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. early 20th century CE. A huge, detailed, hand-carved wooden model of a dugout canoe with two masked riders and two dogs. The canoe has a wonderful crocodile head-shaped prow, with large, striking, cowrie-shell eyes, cross-hatched, incised lines giving a skin-like texture around the eyes and mouth, and a long snout full of carefully carved, sharp teeth. Behind the head, the outer body of the canoe is incised with repeated motifs that look like cresting waves flowing from back to front. Atop those, forming the upper edge of the canoe, is a carved border of tight, tall, triangles that call to mind steep mountains. Two raised loops on each side allow the placement of oars, with one oar, with a broad, leaf-shaped paddle and a long handle, remaining. The loops are integrated into the arms of the seated figures, appearing like fists rather than a part of the canoe. Size: 65.5" L x 9.25" W x 9" H (166.4 cm x 23.5 cm x 22.9 cm)
The two anthropomorphic figures sitting in the canoe have their heads turned upward to the sky, with white, mask-like faces, each with several braided strands of hair tied to their noses, ears, and heads. Their mouths are open in huge grins, their cowrie-shell eyes wide and staring. Their torsos meet the floor of the canoe, where their legs are carved in high relief along the floor. Ahead and behind the two figures are two seated dogs, each painted white with large black spots, their faces showing wide grins.
The rugged terrain of Papua New Guinea means that the easiest form of travel for its indigenous inhabitants is via dugout canoe, especially in the hilly region around the long inland Sepik River. Canoes were highly decorated with symbols of clans and emblems for safety, speed, and success. In the Sepik region, every canoe was carved with a crocodile head prow.
Provenance: ex private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection
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#129969
- Condition: Wood has patina commensurate with age. One of the paddles is still present, as are three of the four loops for holding the paddles. Details and pigment are very nicely preserved.
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