Canoe splashboard "damundam" ·  Papua New Guinea - Huon Gulf, Tami-Islands · ID: 3033657

Description

wood, min. remains of pigments from the original paint in red, black and white, board-shaped, incised ornamental decor, forming a stylized face, openwork design with bird sculptures on the upper rim, drilled holes for attachment, slightly dam., minor missing parts (backside), paint rubbed off, on plate;
such shields were attached straight across the boat, they should protect the passengers, not only of sputtering water, but of water spirits as well.

The object Canoe splashboard “damundam” with the object ID 3033657 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 49 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,000.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Craig, Barry (ed.), Living spirits with fixed abodes, Honolulu 2010, p. 38