Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Papuan Gulf, ca. mid 20th century. A wooden gope board finely carved in low relief with a central figural visage surrounded by stylized geometric motifs, painted in red, chocolate brown, and white which contrasts nicely with the natural caramel tones of the wood. Gope boards traditionally have been created for ceremonial use as ritual objects believed to protect peoples from illness, evil spirits, and death. They are sometimes awarded to warriors for acts of bravery, oftentimes carved from their enemy's canoe. In addition, uncles present gope boards to boys during their initiation ceremonies. Size: 48.5" L x 10.125" W (123.2 cm x 25.7 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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#129962

  • Condition: Slight surface wear with pigment loss, though much remains. Normal age cracks. Wired for suspension on verso.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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