Rare 19th C. Solomon Islands Wood Dance Staff w/ Nacre
South Pacific, Solomon Islands, San Cristobal Island, ca. 19th to early 20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood in the form of a large Bonito fish or shark, this lengthy sculpture is inlaid with dozens of nacre shell inlays. The head is cut with a slender snout, raised fins, and elongated, wide body. The tail fins curl inward, and a secondary fish is surmounted on the top, creating a handle to hold while dancing. The wood is painted jet black and inlaid with nacre shell pieces that have been meticulously cut into stylized geometric forms and present with a marvelous rainbow iridescence. The iridescent white abalone shell inlays create a beautiful contrast with the black. Size: 35" L x 0.55" W x 6" H (88.9 cm x 1.4 cm x 15.2 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168545
Condition Report: Loss and missing large fin on head of fish. Surface abrasions and chips to wood, nacre, and painted surface. Stable pressure fissures. Rare item.
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South Pacific, Solomon Islands, San Cristobal Island, ca. 19th to early 20th century. Carved from a single piece of wood in the form of a large Bonito fish or shark, this lengthy sculpture is inlaid with dozens of nacre shell inlays. The head is cut with a slender snout, raised fins, and elongated, wide body. The tail fins curl inward, and a secondary fish is surmounted on the top, creating a handle to hold while dancing. The wood is painted jet black and inlaid with nacre shell pieces that have been meticulously cut into stylized geometric forms and present with a marvelous rainbow iridescence. The iridescent white abalone shell inlays create a beautiful contrast with the black. Size: 35" L x 0.55" W x 6" H (88.9 cm x 1.4 cm x 15.2 cm); 14.75" H (37.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired from 1995 to 2010
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.
PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
#168545
Condition Report: Loss and missing large fin on head of fish. Surface abrasions and chips to wood, nacre, and painted surface. Stable pressure fissures. Rare item.
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Time, Location
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