Headrest

Tami Island, Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea, 19th Century
Previous Collection: Linden Museum INV#71024
Collected by Capt. Spring before the turn of the century.

This is a stylized example of the classic Tami Island headrest. Unusual is that the legs are conceived in circular form; this represents the shell currency of the region. The bodies are sculpted flat so when viewed from the end a surreal image appears; the heads of the figures become noses with the breasts transforming into eyes and the umbilicus as the mouth. This type of double imagery emphasizes the amazing level of talent and vision the artist possesses. Carved from hardwood with a deep reddish/brown patina from generations of use.

Item stands 6 in tall & 5.5 in wide.

SOLD / IN 4-5-10