Zemanek-Münster

Rare head sculpture

Papua New Guinea, Northern Solomon Islands, Bougainville Island
sold EUR 1,300
Provenance
collected in situ by Monsieur Nappées grandfather, who was engaged in phosphate mining in the Solomon Islands (Makatea), and who brought the head sculpture to France in 1913
Family estate since then
Patrick Nappée, Mescher-sur-Gironde, France
Size
H: 15 cm
H: 5.9 inch

Description

wood, pigments, animal skin, nails, base

The skull-like character of the head and the colourfulness remind of the rare “urar” figures, which are considered to be the soul, or spirit beings of deceased persons.


Comparing literature

Howarth, Crispin, Varilaku, Canberra 2011, p. 61

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