Drinking Cup

Abelam, Screw Mountains, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th c

Provenance: Old American collection

This drinking cup is made from a coconut shell and was most likely used by an important man within Abelam society. The cup is beautifully carved in complex raised relief motifs. A stylized human head is carved as the handle for this cup.  Along the center ridge traversing the entire surface of the shell there are three additional carved abstracted faces.   The surface is well worn and its aged patina has developed from extensive use and handling.  Old drinking cups from Papua New Guinea are extremely rare.