Ancestor Figure
Ancestor Figure
Murik Lakes, Papua New Guinea
Late 19th Century
Previous Collections: Serge Brignoni, Lugano. Marcia and John Friede Collection, Rye New York
This very fine ancestor figure is a wonderful example of Murik Lakes art. Carved from hardwood it has tremendous amounts of detail. The face possesses great expression in addition to a body that has deep circular scarifications that brilliantly depict an abstracted face on the torso. The figure has been rubbed with red organic pigments and the texture of the carving suggests it was created with non-metal tools. Amazingly, the fiber skirt has a deep worn patina; which is quite rare; they are usually lost; this speaks to the excessive amount of handling and care this figure has endured throughout the decades it was used.
Ancestor Figure
Murik Lakes, Papua New Guinea
Late 19th Century
Previous Collections: Serge Brignoni, Lugano. Marcia and John Friede Collection, Rye New York
This very fine ancestor figure is a wonderful example of Murik Lakes art. Carved from hardwood it has tremendous amounts of detail. The face possesses great expression in addition to a body that has deep circular scarifications that brilliantly depict an abstracted face on the torso. The figure has been rubbed with red organic pigments and the texture of the carving suggests it was created with non-metal tools. Amazingly, the fiber skirt has a deep worn patina; which is quite rare; they are usually lost; this speaks to the excessive amount of handling and care this figure has endured throughout the decades it was used.
Banana Scraper
Banana Scraper
Azera People, Morobe Province, Markham Valley, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th Century
Provenance: Wim Minderman, The Hague, acquired in the 1950’s
This Banana Scraper from the Azera People in the Morobe Province of the Markham Valley is made of pigs’ bone. The handle of the scrapper is fashioned into the face of a Flying Fox. The face is cut away from the rest of the object and angularly shaped. This is one of the oldest Azera banana scrappers I have come across, in both stylistic terms and surface patina. There is a refined naturalism found only on the most ancient examples.
Banana Scraper
Azera People, Morobe Province, Markham Valley, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th Century
Provenance: Wim Minderman, The Hague, acquired in the 1950’s
This Banana Scraper from the Azera People in the Morobe Province of the Markham Valley is made of pigs’ bone. The handle of the scrapper is fashioned into the face of a Flying Fox. The face is cut away from the rest of the object and angularly shaped. This is one of the oldest Azera banana scrappers I have come across, in both stylistic terms and surface patina. There is a refined naturalism found only on the most ancient examples.
Passport Mask
Passport Mask
Bassa, Liberia
Early 20th Century
PROVENANCE: Oscar Agard Collection, Newark, NJ. Acquired in the 1970’s, then by descent.
Passport masks are often small renditions of larger masks that can harness power from an ancestor spirit. These smaller masks can fit into the palm of a hand and are carried on the person in order for the carrier to benefit from its protective powers.
Passport Mask
Bassa, Liberia
Early 20th Century
PROVENANCE: Oscar Agard Collection, Newark, NJ. Acquired in the 1970’s, then by descent.
Passport masks are often small renditions of larger masks that can harness power from an ancestor spirit. These smaller masks can fit into the palm of a hand and are carried on the person in order for the carrier to benefit from its protective powers.
Terra Cotta Bowl
Terra Cotta Bowl
Grasslands, Cameroon,
Early 20th Century
Provenance: Old American collection. Ceramic bowls are used for both utilitarian and spiritual purposes in Grassland society. This example is beautifully decorated with a series of geometric designs which encircle the body of the bowl. An anthropomorphic head with a stylized cubist body is used as a handle on one side of the bowl, while the other exhibits a circular spout. A chalky patina is encrusted in the base of the bowl, while the handle and bowl’s exterior exhibit a shiny patina from extensive handling.
Terra Cotta Bowl
Grasslands, Cameroon,
Early 20th Century
Provenance: Old American collection. Ceramic bowls are used for both utilitarian and spiritual purposes in Grassland society. This example is beautifully decorated with a series of geometric designs which encircle the body of the bowl. An anthropomorphic head with a stylized cubist body is used as a handle on one side of the bowl, while the other exhibits a circular spout. A chalky patina is encrusted in the base of the bowl, while the handle and bowl’s exterior exhibit a shiny patina from extensive handling.
Male Fetish Figure
Male Fetish Figure
Yaka, Democratic Republic of Congo
Early 20th century
Wood, fiber
Provenance: Irwin Smiley collection, New York City, by descent to family member. Old inventory #CHR60/F-90 is painted in white on the side of the right foot. Published, Assemblage, 2014, fig. 1
Guardian Figure, Hampatong
Guardian Figure, Hampatong
Tunjung, Dayak, East Kalimantan,
Borneo, Indonesia
Early 20th century
Provenance: Old Dutch collection. This standing figure was kept inside the longhouse to protect its owner from harm. The figure is carved from hard wood and has a deep, dark patina. It is beautifully sculpted with elongated lines.
Hair Pin or Arm Amulet Figure
Hair Pin or Arm Amulet Figure
Lower Sepik River region,
Papua New Guinea
19th – early 20th century
Provenance: Ex collection, Jacob Michiel Ydema, The Haag. Sold in 1961 to the Nijmeegs Institute for Cultural Anthropology at the R.K. University. Painted in white are the museum’s inventory numbers 792. This very fine amulet figure has a large head surmounted with an impressive five-tiered conical coif representing the initiated man’s headdress. Read More
Wooden Family Mask
Wooden Family Mask
Bassa tribe, Liberia, Early 20th c.
PROVENANCE: De-accessioned by the University of Virginia Art Museum. Mask acquired by the museum in 1980 and old/faded inventory numbers painted in red can be seen on the back of the mask. Acquired by Drs. Jean and Noble Endicott, New York.
This large Wooden Family Mask from the Bassa Tribe in Liberia, would have been kept by a family, rather than an individual, and was used to assert family identity. When viewed from the side, the mask’s thinness is quite remarkable, especially considering the material used is very hard wood. The face is more abstract then some of the other more portrait-like family masks, but the slit eyes and small mouth are congruent with stylistic traditions in Liberia. The age of the mask is detected by the oxidation of the wood, which is heavily patinated. Facial scarring is also detected from the forehead down to the nose.
Lime Spatula
Lime Spatula
Uiaku village, Collingwood Bay, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th century
Provenance: Old American collection. This very fine and old spatula’s downward-pointing hook shape is referred to as wangi nuwa, or open-bird mouth style. The design is on both sides of the spatula, it consists of repetitive scrolls and curvilinear motifs, along with concentric circles traversing vertically down its center. The presence of old lime, filling the groves of the engraved design, enhances its bold design.
Lime Spatula
Uiaku village, Collingwood Bay, Papua New Guinea
Early 20th century
Provenance: Old American collection. This very fine and old spatula’s downward-pointing hook shape is referred to as wangi nuwa, or open-bird mouth style. The design is on both sides of the spatula, it consists of repetitive scrolls and curvilinear motifs, along with concentric circles traversing vertically down its center. The presence of old lime, filling the groves of the engraved design, enhances its bold design.