Suspension hook ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3034610

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, small traces of black paint, sickle-shaped hook, carved with a stylized figure, the eyes originally with cowrie snail inlay (now missing), reduced curvilinear ornaments, slightly dam., cracks, small traces of insect caused damage, socle;
figural hooks were integral components of men’s houses, serving two primary functions, both protective. The first was practical. The sculptures were hung from the rafters or eves, with valuable foods and personal items hung on their hooks, keeping them away from the numerous vermin. The second was the protection the hooks gave as intermediaries to the inhabitant ancestral spirits.

The object Suspension hook with the object ID 3034610 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 32.

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