Superb Iatmul Ceremonial Lime Container, Middle Sepik River, Papua New...

Superb Iatmul Ceremonial Lime Container, Middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
bandi na iavo
Wood, pigments, bamboo, vegetable fiber
Height 22 5/8in (57.5cm)

Provenance
Gustave and Franyo Schindler Collection, New York
American Private Collection

Crispen Howarth notes, "When newly initiated men finally emerge from their lengthy seclusion as part of the bandi ritual process, they are presented to the community wearing their finest adornments and carrying specially-made lime containers of bamboo with decorated wooden finials, known as bandi na iavo. These finials are a tour de force of carving that are created and given to the young men by their maternal uncles." (Myth and Magic: Art of the Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, National Gallery of Australia, 2015, p. 153)

Skillfully carved depicting a horned bird emerging out of the top of a head with naturalistic features; the bird's mouth carved in an openwork circle revealing the tongue, with the horn carved gracefully curving downwards and connecting to the back of the human's head; the human head carved with classic flaring nostrils, circular eyes--the left with blue pigment and the right with ocher pigment--and open mouth; the finial rests in the bamboo container with finely woven fiber, constructed with four rings; the finial decorated overall with blue, white and ocher pigments.