Magic bone tube ·  Papua New Guinea, Abelam · ID: 3040148

Description

human bone, small remains of brown paint, entirely covered with incised signs and emblems, which are strongly abraded in some areas through long years of usage, drilled hole on one side, slightly dam. (upper rim), metal base;
such bone tubes “each time were explained in terms of magic and secrecy with the suggestion of malicious intent” (according to M. Hamson, 2015, p. 241).

The object Magic bone tube with the object ID 3040148 was last part of the auction 82nd Tribal Art Auction at February 27, 2016 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 37 achieved a sales price of EUR 1,500.

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

Comparing literature

Hamson, Michael, Art of the Abelam, Los Angeles 2015, p. 241 ff Newton, Douglas et. al., Collecting New Guinea Art, o.O. 2013, p. 53, ill. 22