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Bruce Frank Primitive Art
New York City, NY
+1 917 733 9589

Neckrest

Geelvink Bay, West Papua
19th-early 20th century

Provenance: Ernst Heinrich collection, Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt. By descent to his daughter. Mia and Loed van Bussel collection, Amsterdam, inventory # Z 117.

Neckrests from the Geelvink Bay are prized possessions, and this one would have been used by an important member of the tribe.   It is composed of two apotropaic korwar figures, carrying on their back delicately ajour carved scrolls, in form of the Naga serpents. The korwar (meaning « soul » or « spirit ») are ancestor figures intended to guard the sleeper from harm and guide him amongst the spirits of his dream-world.  The patinated and finely aged surface suggests it has been used for a long time.

Length: 6 in / 15.2 cm

Neckrest

Geelvink Bay, West Papua
19th-early 20th century

Provenance: Ernst Heinrich collection, Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt. By descent to his daughter. Mia and Loed van Bussel collection, Amsterdam, inventory # Z 117.

Neckrests from the Geelvink Bay are prized possessions, and this one would have been used by an important member of the tribe.   It is composed of two apotropaic korwar figures, carrying on their back delicately ajour carved scrolls, in form of the Naga serpents. The korwar (meaning « soul » or « spirit ») are ancestor figures intended to guard the sleeper from harm and guide him amongst the spirits of his dream-world.  The patinated and finely aged surface suggests it has been used for a long time.

Length: 6 in / 15.2 cm

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