Ceremonial spear-thrower "mino" · Papua New Guinea - Middle Sepik · ID: 3033419
Description
wood, dark brown patina, kaolin, staff-shaped, with flat triangular projections, small recess on one end, characteristic ornaments, slightly dam., paint rubbed off;
the “mino” is a ceremonial spear-thrower that is purely representational. The exaggerated central guide does not allow a functional use. It is carried by the splendidly attired, newly initiated young men at the close of the initiation ceremony.
The object Ceremonial spear-thrower “mino” with the object ID 3033419 was last part of the auction 70th tribal art auction at September 8, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 65.
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Comparing literature
Suzanne Greub, Kunst am Sepik, Basel 1985, ill. 82 Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 230, ill. 243