Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, Iatmul peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A finely-carved wooden food hook used for drying and storing foods. The crescent-shaped bottom hook is held in the mouth of a stylized shark which has inset shell eyes and hangs from a rope attached to the nose of a large anthropomorphic head above. The bearded countenance has inset cowrie shell eyes which imbue the face with a piercing gaze, and two abstract heads droop below the chin with curved beaks that pierce the side of the shark. A pair of red stones adorns the sides of each beaked head, and smooth brown patina envelops the entire carving. Size: 8.8" W x 25.25" H (22.4 cm x 64.1 cm).

Provenance: private Southern California, USA collection, acquired in the 1970s to mid-1980s

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#142383

  • Condition: Loss to one red stone. Minor nicks to hook, body, and head, with softening to some finer details, otherwise intact and very good. Nice earthen deposits and smooth brown patina throughout.

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January 24, 2019 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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