Dance Ornament
Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
Late 19th Century
Provenance: John Friede, Rye, NY.

This Sawos Dance Ornament would have been worn on the back of a dancer. The ornament is double faced and surreally decorated and painted. Two stylized bird motifs function as arms, and are a common feature on Sawos Dance Ceremonies. The fibrous attachment is original to the figure. This ornament was originally acquired from Mak Von Waay auctioneers in Amsterdam in 1960. It has an old inventory number 812 painted in white. For a very similar example see "Kunst Vom Sepik" Volume 1, figure 112.

Height: 17 3/4 " in.
IN 4-14-14 / SOLD