Spear thrower "mino"
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 42
88th Tribal Art AuctionSpear thrower "mino"
Papua New Guinea - Middle Sepik, Iatmul
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
Lempertz, Brussels, 25 April 2009, lot 16 Peter Grossmann, Berlin, Germany |
L: 39.4 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
wood, pigment, plant fibre, guide with rich ornamental decor in the middle, slightly dam., abrasion of paint.
Spear throwers of the "mino" type are purely representational, they are not conceptualized for practical usage. They were employed in initiation ceremonies where they were part of the splendid outfit of the initates for the various rituals which concluded the period of initiation.
Friede, John & Marcia, New Guinea Art, Vol. 2, San Francisco 2005, ill. 217 f.