Ritual crocodile ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik Delta, Murik Lagoon · ID: 3032572

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, red and white pigment, elongated cylindrical body with the tail tapering to a point, carved with scales, the open snout reveals rows of teeth accentuated with kaolin, completed by tusk-like projections, legs missing, slightly dam., minor missing part (underside), abrasion;
in the Sepik area depictions of animals are not only meant as accessory part but as individual beings - incarnations of “totems” - which act as guardian and helping spirit and which are venerated in case to keep them well disposed. Aside crocodiles incarnate the so-called “gulping monster”, used at initiation rites.

The object Ritual crocodile with the object ID 3032572 was last part of the auction 68th tribal art auction at March 3, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 39.

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Comparing literature

Aumann, Georg, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Neu Guinea, Coburg 1986, p. 113 f.