Lot 22
CANOE PROW
LOWER SEPIK, POSSIBLY KERAM RIVER, PAPUA NEW GUINEA
African & Oceanic Art and Antiquities
Auction: 27 November 2018 at 11:00 GMT
Description
carved wood, the prow in the form of a stylised crocodile head, the sides incised with patterns of waves and flowing water, inside is a human head met with the long snout of a standing crocodile shown facing towards the front, a seperate human figure is shown crouched and facing to the rear with hands placed on the knees, clear evidence of age and use
Dimensions
115cm long
Footnote
Provenance:
Collection of an Australian academic, acquired late 1960's - early 1970's. Private collection, London.
Note:
This fine canoe prow dates to the early 20th century, the naturalistic treatment of the figure suggests a possible attribution south of the Lower Sepik River, possibly around the Keram River.