KUPIXI

Details

A WAYANA FEATHER BACK ORNAMENT
kupixi
The back with woven geometric ornament in dark and light fibre, the front sewn with layered blue, red, black and white feathers, a long blue and red macaw feather to each side, black feather tassels below terminating in red feathers, plaited cotton suspension straps
41cm. long

Special notice

Christie's charge a buyer's premium of 20.825% of the hammer price for lots with values up to NLG 200,000. If the hammer price exceeds the NLG 200,000 then the premium is calculated at 20.825% of the first NLG 200,000 plus 11.9% of any amount in excess of NLG 200,000. Ivory and Endangered Species Prospective purchasers are advised that certain property offered may be subject to Dutch legislation relating to endangered species and environmental conservation. The export of any of these lots may require a special license from the CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species) office. Several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials of endangered species such as ivory, tortoiseshell, rhinoceros horn, and whalebone. Irrespective of percentage, prospective purchasers should familiarise themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import any such property into another country. Whilst Christie's is pleased to assist buyers with applications for export and import permits, buyers are reminded that they are ultimately responsible for satisfying export and import regulations and Christie's cannot guarantee the successful outcome of license applications. Please contact the Tribal Art dept if you have any further questions.

Lot Essay

Cf. Braun, B. (Ed.), Arts of the Amazon, London, 1995, p.10, fig.8 where the author states that such ornaments are worn in the ant-shield ceremony. Wearing this ornament, together with a feathered headdress and arm ornaments, a male dancer would be transformed into a bird

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