Spirit board "gope" ·  Papua New Guinea - Gulf · ID: 3035680

Description

wood, brown patina, black paint, white pigment, flat deepened fond, carved with a figure with raised contours, reduced ornamental decor, the lower end cut, slightly dam., paint rubbed off in some areas, small crack, water spots;
in his study entitled “The Art Styles of the Papuan Gulf”, Douglas Newton remarks that boys and young initiates own small unnamed “gope” boards that are hung in their cubicles for protection, to help growth and to ward off sickness.

The object Spirit board “gope” with the object ID 3035680 was part of the auction 75th tribal art auction on November 30, 2013, lot number 29 at that time and is currently available for EUR 2,500 in Open sale.

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Comparing literature

Hamson, Michael, The Art of the Papuan Gulf, Los Angeles 2010, p. 24 ff.