13th Jun, 2024 10:30
Summer Specialist Sale
Ethnographica: Sepik River (Papua New Guinea) clay and shell-mounted human skull
Ethnographica: Sepik River (Papua New Guinea) clay and shell-mounted human 'ancestor' skull, Iatmul or Sawos, Central Sepik River, the skull covered with a thick layer of reddish-brown clay, cowrie shell eyes and band across top of head, locks of real hair behind, approximately 14cm wide, 20cm deep, 15cm high
Deceased estate, Hotwells, Bristol.
Comparable lots:
Simpson Galleries, Houston, Texas, 8th November 2015, lot 401.
Dorotheum, Vienna, 2nd November 2015, lot 213, where stated:
"Amongst the Iatmul (and also the Sawos) on the central Sepik River, the skulls of important, deceased men were covered with reddish clay... and decorated with the patterns that the deceased had also worn as face-painting for ceremonies and feasts when he was alive. These re-modelled ancestor skulls were kept in houses for men and ritually venerated in their own ceremonies."
Literature:
Meyer, Anthony J. P., ‘Ozeanische Kunst’, ill. p. 230, 276
Phelps, Steven, ‘Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. The James Hooper Collection’ , fig. 991, 992
Friede, Marcia & John, 'New Guinea Art', fig. 163, 164
Nicolas, Alain, 'Art Papou' (Catalogue) Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens, Amérindiens, Marseilles, fig. 276.
Sold for £1,600
Ethnographica: Sepik River (Papua New Guinea) clay and shell-mounted human 'ancestor' skull, Iatmul or Sawos, Central Sepik River, the skull covered with a thick layer of reddish-brown clay, cowrie shell eyes and band across top of head, locks of real hair behind, approximately 14cm wide, 20cm deep, 15cm high
Deceased estate, Hotwells, Bristol.
Comparable lots:
Simpson Galleries, Houston, Texas, 8th November 2015, lot 401.
Dorotheum, Vienna, 2nd November 2015, lot 213, where stated:
"Amongst the Iatmul (and also the Sawos) on the central Sepik River, the skulls of important, deceased men were covered with reddish clay... and decorated with the patterns that the deceased had also worn as face-painting for ceremonies and feasts when he was alive. These re-modelled ancestor skulls were kept in houses for men and ritually venerated in their own ceremonies."
Literature:
Meyer, Anthony J. P., ‘Ozeanische Kunst’, ill. p. 230, 276
Phelps, Steven, ‘Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. The James Hooper Collection’ , fig. 991, 992
Friede, Marcia & John, 'New Guinea Art', fig. 163, 164
Nicolas, Alain, 'Art Papou' (Catalogue) Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens, Amérindiens, Marseilles, fig. 276.
Auction: Summer Specialist Sale, 13th Jun, 2024
Our Summer Specialist Sale of Fine Furniture, Modern Design, Paintings, Prints, Silver, Jewellery, Watches, Ceramics, Glassware & other Collectors
Highlights included an Austral Islands Cheif's staff £15,500, a Large Minton majolica elephant four-branch candelabrum centrepiece £6,200, an Asscher cut diamond (approx. 4.5 carats) platinum ring £11,500, The Most Exalted Order of the Star of India, K.C.S.I £12,500, and an early 19th century double-sided micromosaic table box £11,000.
Viewing
Wednesday 12th June - 10am till 5pm
