Bird Figure
Bird Figure
Abelam, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea
19th century
Provenance: Ernst Heinrich collection, Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt. By descent to his daughter. Mia and Loed Van bussel collection, Amsterdam
Carved with non-metal tools this very old bird sculpture would have been suspended in the ceremonial Men’s House; the attachment holes on the back speak to this. The head is animated and the body is quite realistic in nature with the long extension of the wings in the back. The old modeled surface is the result of decades of exposure and use. Some erosion to the surface and one stabilized age crack on one side, but in otherwise excellent condition.
Bird Figure
Abelam, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea
19th century
Provenance: Ernst Heinrich collection, Stuttgart/Bad Cannstatt. By descent to his daughter. Mia and Loed Van bussel collection, Amsterdam
Carved with non-metal tools this very old bird sculpture would have been suspended in the ceremonial Men’s House; the attachment holes on the back speak to this. The head is animated and the body is quite realistic in nature with the long extension of the wings in the back. The old modeled surface is the result of decades of exposure and use. Some erosion to the surface and one stabilized age crack on one side, but in otherwise excellent condition.