Adze Handle & Sago Pounder
Korwar, Geelvink Bay, West Papua
19th-early 20th century
Provenance: Kleier collection, Munich, acquired in the 1960’s.
Ancestors played a vital role in daily life for the people of West Papua. Both the adze handle and sago pounder have squatting ancestor figures carved in relief on the upper sections of the handles. Above the figure on the sago pounder, 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. The adze handle has a varied dark and glossy patina from handling, and is very well worn; one side of the figure has suffered loss from its extensive use. The handle terminates with a stylized head of a mythical Naga serpent.
Handle height: 19 in / 48.3 cm
Adze Handle & Sago Pounder
Korwar, Geelvink Bay, West Papua
19th-early 20th century
Provenance: Kleier collection, Munich, acquired in the 1960’s.
Ancestors played a vital role in daily life for the people of West Papua. Both the adze handle and sago pounder have squatting ancestor figures carved in relief on the upper sections of the handles. Above the figure on the sago pounder, 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. The adze handle has a varied dark and glossy patina from handling, and is very well worn; one side of the figure has suffered loss from its extensive use. The handle terminates with a stylized head of a mythical Naga serpent.
Handle height: 19 in / 48.3 cm