Online catalogue for the 53rd tribal art auction

21 Male ritual figure

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Abelam

wood, remains of dark patina, rising from free carved legs, supporting a slender, high towering trunk which is framed by clamp-like arranged arms, crowned by an oval face with raised rim and hornbills on top (fragmentary), the surface showing strong traces of weathering and insect caused damage, missing parts, on base

H: 95 cm
H: 37.4 inch

Provenance
Missionsmuseum St. Augustin, Bonn, Germany

Literature
Koch, G., Kultur der Abelam, Museum für Völkerkunde Berlin 1968, p. 41

Sold.

22

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Abelam

umgeschrieben in 4643-36

Price: 1100 - 1500 €

23 Ornament and currency ring "yua"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Abelam

cut from Tridacna shell, slightly vaulted, typical plug-like projection with notches, symbolizing the head of a hornbill ("pal"), on base

D: 10 cm (inside), 13,5 cm
D: 3.9 inch (inside), 5.3 inch

Literature
Aumann, Georg, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Neu Guinea, Ausst.kat. Natur-Museum Coburg 1986, p. 147

Price: 160 - 250 €

24 Ceremonial axe blade "si yuruh"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Asmat

heavy, greyish-brown stone, cylindrical blade, bulging decor in relief and painted cross motif on front and backside, on metal base; ceremonial stones of the Asmat were handed down from generation to generation. Such axe blades were used in head hunting rites, for opening the skull of the sacrificed, they served as burial objects, and could as well be part of the bride price.

H: 31,5 cm
H: 12.4 inch

Literature
Helfrich, Klaus u.a., Asmat, Mythos und Kunst im Leben mit den Ahnen, Musuem für Völkerkunde, Berlin 1996, p. 231 and 235

Sold.

25 Standing male ancestor figure "kawe"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Asmat

wood, red and black pigment, kaolin, with intoed feet rising from short legs, supporting a slender trunk with sloping shoulders and free carved, long arms, the big stylized hands arranged like a protecting shield in front of the lower part of the body, a short neck surmounted by a long and narrow head, dominated by a sharp cut, arrow-shaped nose, which is flanked by small eyes, arranged close to each other, skin scarification marks, slightly dam., missing parts (right hand) and places of reapair (both foot tips, several fingers), on blocklike base

H: 34,5 cm
H: 13.6 inch

Provenance
Missionary Collection, Sweden (1961)

Literature
Helfrich, Klaus u.a., Asmat, Mythos und Kunst im Leben mit den Ahnen, Musuem für Völkerkunde, Berlin 1996, p. 179

Sold.

26 Ancestor pole "mbis"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Asmat

wood, black patina, two figures, simplified in form, arranged on top of each other, the upper one supporting a canoe prow in openwork design, while the lower one is flanked by tukan birds beaks, slightly dam., missing part, places of repair (left wrist of the lower figure, base); "mbis" ancestor poles represent the deceased. In past times "mbis" celebrations took place, when the men of a village decided that the time had come to revenge the dead and thus enable them to enter the world of their ancestors called "safan". The smaller poles, like this one, were kept inside the village. The openwork prow-like wing is a symbol of fertility and an expression of power and masculinity. They were meant to advise and support the living in all difficulties of everyday life.

H: 74 cm
H: 29.1 inch

Provenance
Private Collection, New York, USA

Literature
Konrad, Gunter und Ursula, Mattihas Schneebaum, Asmat, Leben mit den Ahnen, Glashütten 1981, p. 62 f.

Sold.

27 Ancestor skull "ndambirkus"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea, Asmat

bone, dark brown patina, the lower jawbone is tightly attached to the skull with cord material, the eye-sockets are filled with beeswax and inlaid with the red seeds of the crab's eye vine ("Abrus precatorius") and Job's-tear grass ("Coix lacryma-jobi"), cord material, blackish mass and a band of rattan marking the bridge of the nose with a hollowed bone crosswise attached to it, crowned by a head band decorated with feathers, rattan earrings with feather bundles, in good condition; the skull of a treasured ancestor was treated with outmost respect, it was dressed in a ceremonial manner and kept in a secure place. Skulls of enemies however were really treated badly. The brains were taken out to be eaten. The lower jawbone was given to the women to wear as a necklace - the ultimate insult. Even those skulls, called "ndaokus" were kept as a trophy and as proof of a warrior's prowess.

H: 20 cm
H: 7.9 inch

Provenance
Private Collection, Austria

Literature
Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p.84, ill. 64
Helfrich, Klaus u.a., Asmat, Mythos und Kunst im Leben mit den Ahnen, Musuem für Völkerkunde, Berlin 1996, p. 175

Sold.

28 Ancestor board "gope"

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea - Blackwater River

wood, dark brown patina, kaolin, traces of red ochre, lancet-shaped, slightly vaulted, in the centre carved with a human head, a second smaller corresponding one at the bottom, ornaments in flat relief inbetween, slightly dam., minor missing parts on top and at the bottom, on base; together with board-shaped wooden figures and skulls (of humans, pigs and crocodiles) these boards were kept in big cult houses, where the access was only allowed to men. Each board had the name of an ancestor and they were thought to have mysterious power.

H: 64 cm
H: 25.2 inch

Literature
Aumann, Georg, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Neu Guinea, Ausst.kat. Natur-Museum Coburg 1986, p. 87 f.

Sold.

29 Dance mask

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea - Boiken

heavy wood, of narrow elongated form with a chin tapering to a point, extremely hollowed and constricted underneath the eye zone, pierced eyes flanking a raised middle ridge, an elongated nose with pierced septum underneath, showing a bow-shaped projection, slightly dam., cracks (left half of the face), missing parts (upper rim), places of repair (bow-shaped nose projection), traces of weathering and old age; representing a spirit. Within the Lower Sepik area, it is generally accepted that long pointed noses represent spiritual beings while short naturalistic ones portray true ancestors.

H: 43,5 cm
H: 17.1 inch

Literature
Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 193

Price: 3900 - 6000 €

30 Bride price money

This object is not available any more.

Papua New Guinea - Boiken

shell of giant Turbo marmoratus-snail, a lancet-shaped wickerwork mask with tubular eyes attached to it, spreaded with black, red and yellow painting, encrusted with clay, rubbed off in parts, slightly dam., on metal base; especially made by the inhabitants of Yangoru village. Shells of the giant Turbo marmoratus-snail were acquired by the tribes living along the coast. The object was used by the Yangoru on their own or it was traded with the Iatmul, who used it as bridal money.

H: 22 cm
H: 8.7 inch

Literature
Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 320, ill. 357

Price: 900 - 1350 €