Old Asmat Sculptural House Figure / Irian Jaya - Papua New Guinea / Oceanic 195

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Old Asmat Sculptural House Figure / Irian Jaya - Papua New Guinea / Oceanic 195:
$1200.00

Large Old Asmat Sculptural House Figure
~
Irian Jaya / Papua New Guinea

Early to Mid 20th Large old Asmat carved and painted wood figural sculpture, decorated with a woven hat, belt and ear ornaments. Irian Jaya / Papua New Guinea. Early to mid 20th century.

This sculpture depicts two figures. The small figure holding the chest of, and being held by, the large figure. Both have attached ear ornaments which are constructed of woven string, raffia, light-colored seeds, and long black hollow tube-like seeds or pods. The large figure is wearing a woven loin-cloth as well as a woven and raffia headdress. Both figures have carved tattoo or skin ornamentations that have been painted black and red.

The base of the sculpture is of interest as it has been carved in a way that it most likely fit onto, and was fastened by nails (at one time) onto, the wall or post of a house. It was not carved flat to stand alone and three old nail holes are visible on the base. Likely, it is an architectural piece made for tribal use, not for sale to the outside.

The sculpture has a very old oxidized patina with darkening to the unpainted and painted wood surfaces. Old rusty nails hold the headdress to the head. The septum is pierced in the old manner and the figure was carved from a heavy hard wood.

NOTE: This sculpture will not stand up alone and was photographed by using a small piece of foam-core as a wedge, to make it stand in an upright position. It would be a good idea to have a display stand made for the piece.

PROVENANCE:

From a San Francisco estate collection. Said to have been collected in its present condition during the early 1960\'s.

AGE:

Early to mid 20th century. Circa 1940\'s - 1960\'s.

SIZE:

Height - 38\" / Weight - 9 lb. 3 oz.

CONDITION:

Good overall condition with no losses.Very old darkened patina to the surfaces of the wood and to the woven ornaments. Crazing, age lines, and thin splits to the wood. Overall wear. Nail holes to base (no nails present. Rust to the nails holding the headdress. The front of the piece has a darker, more oxidized patina than the back, possibly due to the back facing a wall during tribal architectural use. piece will be a museum quality addition to any collection of Tribal Art and will display beautifully in any Mid Century Modern, Eames Era, Art Deco, Modernist, South Pacific - Oceanic, Ethnographic, or Arts and Crafts decor.

Look carefully at all the photos to view the details and condition of the piece.

Please e-mail with any questions ... I always respond quickly! Shipped from California, USA.This object comes from a smoke-free, pet-free Environment.
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