Lot 148
148
A NEW GUINEA BUTTRESS ROOT CARVING, of irregular form, the central face with slender nose flanked by oval eyes within tear-drop shaped panels, small rectangular mouth, the remainder with carved scrolls heightened with lime, pierced at the top for suspension and carved grip below, dark glossy patina, perhaps Upper Karawari

Details
A NEW GUINEA BUTTRESS ROOT CARVING, of irregular form, the central face with slender nose flanked by oval eyes within tear-drop shaped panels, small rectangular mouth, the remainder with carved scrolls heightened with lime, pierced at the top for suspension and carved grip below, dark glossy patina, perhaps Upper Karawari
72cm. high
Literature
Forman and Burland, 1973, fig. 91

Lot Essay

No information concerning the carving's precise origin was obtained when collected in New Guinea in 1968-69. A related carving, again from the buttress root of a tree and collected in the same year, was exhibited at Gallery 43 (London, 1971, no.19) tentatively attributed to the Upper Karawari. The tear-drop carving about the eyes would seem to indicate influence from the Sawos.

More from Tribal Art

View All
View All