Suspension hook · Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3041439

Name: Suspension hook
SKU: 3041439
Availability: Discontinued

not available anymore

Provenance

Christie’s Paris, 10 December 2003, lot 54

Size

H: 71 cm

H: 28.0 inch

Description

wood, matt dark brown patina, traces of black and red pigment, anchor-shaped corpus, crowned by large anthropomorphic face with knob-shaped eyes, nose with pierced septum, “smiling” mouth with remains of clay-like mass, drilled hole for suspension, slightly dam. (mouth), traces of insect caused damage (hook), base;
suspension hooks have both utilitarian and ceremonial functions. Suspended from the rafters by a cord, they are used to safeguard food, clothing, and other items, which are placed in baskets or string bags and hung from the hook-shaped prongs at the base to keep them out of reach of vermin. Most hooks are adorned with representations of ancestral spirits and totemic animals associated with the owner’s clan. Primarily functional, household suspension hooks were also used to contact spirits about more minor matters.