Early 20th C. PNG Abelam Anthropomorphic Effigy
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, North Maprik District, Abelam people, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. An abstract woven anthropomorphic effigy ornament, said to be worn by chiefs both during war and during dances; they are only for men and only for wear when in full ceremonial dress and face paint. This item is called a karawut (also karahut or kara'ut). The shape, made of knotted bush string dyed red and decorated with sewn cowrie shells and two fierce curved boar's tusks, resembles a human face with the distinctive high forehead of much Papuan art. A long woven strap, brown in color, hangs down from the sides of the face. Size: 8.5" W x 8.5" H (21.6 cm x 21.6 cm); 13" H (33 cm) on included custom stand.
The name karawut is quite literal, roughly translating to a hand-knotted twine object with boar tusks. When tribes in this region still engaged in warfare with their neighbors, these were worn by gripping them between the teeth in war, so that the enemy saw not a human, but a fierce creature armed with boar's teeth. It is important to note that among the peoples of Oceania, these objects are not just religiously symbolic themselves. The materials they are made of are also religiously symbolic, as well as the practices that artists in those communities go through to create them. This is why so much art from this area uses a wide variety of locally-available materials. The Abelam people, who live in the Maprik District, a densely rain-forested, hilly region, led agricultural lifestyles centered around growing yams and highly ritualized warfare with their neighbors. Beyond its cultural significance, this is a beautiful and striking piece of art, immediately recognizable as being from this little-visited part of the world.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Michael Hamson collection, California, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#150903
Condition Report: Rich patina on all surfaces. In good condition with small areas of fraying.
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Oceania, Papua New Guinea, North Maprik District, Abelam people, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. An abstract woven anthropomorphic effigy ornament, said to be worn by chiefs both during war and during dances; they are only for men and only for wear when in full ceremonial dress and face paint. This item is called a karawut (also karahut or kara'ut). The shape, made of knotted bush string dyed red and decorated with sewn cowrie shells and two fierce curved boar's tusks, resembles a human face with the distinctive high forehead of much Papuan art. A long woven strap, brown in color, hangs down from the sides of the face. Size: 8.5" W x 8.5" H (21.6 cm x 21.6 cm); 13" H (33 cm) on included custom stand.
The name karawut is quite literal, roughly translating to a hand-knotted twine object with boar tusks. When tribes in this region still engaged in warfare with their neighbors, these were worn by gripping them between the teeth in war, so that the enemy saw not a human, but a fierce creature armed with boar's teeth. It is important to note that among the peoples of Oceania, these objects are not just religiously symbolic themselves. The materials they are made of are also religiously symbolic, as well as the practices that artists in those communities go through to create them. This is why so much art from this area uses a wide variety of locally-available materials. The Abelam people, who live in the Maprik District, a densely rain-forested, hilly region, led agricultural lifestyles centered around growing yams and highly ritualized warfare with their neighbors. Beyond its cultural significance, this is a beautiful and striking piece of art, immediately recognizable as being from this little-visited part of the world.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Michael Hamson collection, California, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#150903
Condition Report: Rich patina on all surfaces. In good condition with small areas of fraying.
Estimate
Time, Location
Auction House
