Canoe prow ·  Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago - Admirality Islands · ID: 3033025

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, in shape of a stylized crocodile with head, eyes, scale armour and legs recognizable, the projection of the snout carved with turtles, slightly dam., cracks, minor missing parts, on plate;
the seafaring Admirality Islanders are noted for their beautifully carved canoes and canoe prows. In present case in shape of the omnipresent crocodile, which plays an important role in religious and cultic life and belongs to the most important art motifs in this region.

Comparing literature

Kaufmann, Christian, Kocher Schmid, Christin u. a., Admirality islands, Zürich 2002, ill. 32