Sago Pounder Handle
Korwar, Geelvink Bay, West Papua 19th-early 20th century
Provenance: Kleier collection, Munich, acquired in the 1960’s.
Ancestors played a vital role in the material culture for the people of West Papua. This pounder’s handle has a prominently displayed stylized crouching ancestor, carved in high relief. Above the figure, the upper portion is beautifully carved with curvilinear patterns. The surface is extremely well worn with an encrusted deep patina from many years of use. At the bottom of the shaft, painted museum style, in white, is the inscription, “ Vandamen-B. Geelvink-Bai. N.G.”
Sago Pounder Handle
Korwar, Geelvink Bay, West Papua 19th-early 20th century
Provenance: Kleier collection, Munich, acquired in the 1960’s.
Ancestors played a vital role in the material culture for the people of West Papua. This pounder’s handle has a prominently displayed stylized crouching ancestor, carved in high relief. Above the figure, the upper portion is beautifully carved with curvilinear patterns. The surface is extremely well worn with an encrusted deep patina from many years of use. At the bottom of the shaft, painted museum style, in white, is the inscription, “ Vandamen-B. Geelvink-Bai. N.G.”