Spirit Figure
Kopar People, Singarin village, lower Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea
19th Century
Provenance: Old German collection
Ana and Antonio Casanovas, Madrid
These board like figures are called ‘Atei’; they represent important ancestors and the animal carvings symbolize clan totems. With this example; its head is surmounted by a turtle and at the bottom is a stylized bird. The figure is carved in classic form with an expressive face and tightly sculpted elongated body that exhibits great negative space between its limbs. The patina is fine and aged from generations of exposure and the original pigments are still intact. A finely woven fiber cord attachment is wrapped around the upper torso. This piece was carved with non-metal tools.
Spirit Figure
Kopar People, Singarin village, lower Sepik River region, Papua New Guinea
19th Century
Provenance: Old German collection
Ana and Antonio Casanovas, Madrid
These board like figures are called ‘Atei’; they represent important ancestors and the animal carvings symbolize clan totems. With this example; its head is surmounted by a turtle and at the bottom is a stylized bird. The figure is carved in classic form with an expressive face and tightly sculpted elongated body that exhibits great negative space between its limbs. The patina is fine and aged from generations of exposure and the original pigments are still intact. A finely woven fiber cord attachment is wrapped around the upper torso. This piece was carved with non-metal tools.