Female ancestral spirit figure ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3035411

Description

wood, clay-coloured patina, brown paint, kaolin, bent legs and raised arms, nose with curved bridge and pierced septum, diadem-like coiffure, drilled earholes, the right leg inscribed backside: “MB 351”, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose, right hand and arm), metal socle;
the arms and legs are swept up - typically a posture of birth but often symbolizing creativity, fertility and fecundity. These ancestral spirits often have strict fields of influence - for example pig hunting or warfare.

The object Female ancestral spirit figure with the object ID 3035411 was last part of the auction 74th tribal art auction at September 7, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 24 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,800.

You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Hamson, Michael, The Elegance of Menace, Los Angeles 2005, ill. 72