20th C. Indonesian Asmat Wood Ancestor Figures

Southeast Asia, Indonesia, western Irian Jaya / West Papua, Asmat people, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A visually striking piece, hand-carved from a singular piece of wood to portray a man standing atop a another man's head, while gripping the beak of a bird. The upper figure is long limbed, with skinny legs, arms, and fingers that grip the base of an abstracted bird head, which represents a hornbill. The hornbill is positioned on the brow of the lower figure, and the nose of the upper figure touches the tip of the beak. The faces of both men are elongated with incised, narrow eyes, and small mouths. These are ancestor figures that would grant protection, and the hornbill also held symbolic power for the Asmat people. A rich patina covers the surface of this unique piece! Size: 12.5" L x 4" W (31.8 cm x 10.2 cm)

Provenance: ex-Phoenicia Holyland Antiquities

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#162666
Condition Report: Two cavities on lower head. Surface abrasions with nicks, chips, and scratches. Rich patina!