Canoe prow in shape of a crocodile ·  Papua New Guinea - Middle Sepik · ID: 3043356

Description

light brown wood, matt patina with dark pigment remains, stained, carved in a nearly naturalistic way, min. dam., insect caused missing parts, fine cracks, base.
A dugout canoe was the most important mobility device in the Sepik River area. In mythology the crocodiles encorporate a “gulping monster”, used at initiation rites. It was of decisive importance in religious and ritual contexts, and was the most significant art theme within the whole region. Accordingly it was the preferred motif for prow figures of dugout canoes, which were used for head hunting raids in former times.

The object Canoe prow in shape of a crocodile with the object ID 3043356 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 41.

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Comparing literature

Aumann, Georg, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Neu Guinea, Coburg 1986, p. 115