Figure crochue "garra" ·  Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée - Monts Hunstein / April River, Bahinemo · ID: 3051691

Description

wood, red ochre, lime, base

According to Meyer, the term “garra” generally refers to sacred objects of the Bahinemo. He distinguishes two types of “garra”, masks and hook-shaped sculptures, like the present one.

According to Schuster & Schuster (1973), hook “garra” are closely associated with, perhaps even representations of, bush and water spirits. Their function is to heal sickness and to aid in hunting and warfare. Newton (1971) describes the use of hook “garra” in the context of the initiation of young boys.

All the “garra” of the Bahinemo are believed to have been originally created by “wimogu” and “igoshua”, a mythical couple who is said to still live on a small island at the mouth of the April River.

L’objet Figure crochue “garra” avec l’ID d’objet 3051691 a fait partie de la vente aux enchères Vente aux enchères 104 dans 12 avril 2025. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 210 a atteint un prix de vente de 3 200 € pour un prix d’adjudication de 2 000 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Figures et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art océanien pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 266 Schuster, M. & G. "Hakenfiguren der Bahinemo", in: Festschrift für Robert Wildhaber, ed. by W. Escher, et al., Basel 1973, p. 634 Craig, Barry (ed.), Living spirits with fixed abodes, Honolulu 2010, p. 153 f.