Figure of male ancestor spirit "blaal" ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3041486

Description

wood, matt brown patina, pierced septum, short free carved arms, legs without feet rising from a small vaulted base, slightly dam., insect caused missing parts backside, base;
according to O. Reche the ancestor figures originally were advancements or supplements of the real ancestor skulls. The idea was, that not only a natural head but a whole body should be offered as abode to the soul of the deceased. According to Reche it can be assumed, that the original form of an ancestor figure consisted of a natural human skull and a wooden trunk. But this was only a transitional stage and finally was detached by such wooden whole-figure-statuettes.

The object Figure of male ancestor spirit “blaal” with the object ID 3041486 was part of the auction 84th Tribal Art Auction on November 5, 2016, lot number 29 at that time and is currently available for EUR 5,000 in Open sale.

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