Mid-20th C. Papua New Guinea Kwoma Pottery Cult Vessel

**Originally Listed At $250**

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, Washkuk Hills, Kwoma peoples, ca. mid to late 20th century CE. A hand-built pottery cult head known as a "wasau" with a conical base and a bulbous body. The top half consists of an abstract anthropomorphic head with a looped nose, full lips, projecting tubular eyes with applied resin pupils from old cassette tapes, tab-shaped ears, and a pinched facial border, all presented in red, white, blue, and yellow pigments atop a black-painted ground. Lucite display stand for photography purposes only. Size: 7.5" W x 14" H (19 cm x 35.6 cm).

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985

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#147679
Condition Report: Professionally repaired from multiple large pieces, with resurfacing and overpainting along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to base, head, and spout, with fading to areas of original pigmentation, and light encrustations. Nice earthen deposits throughout.