oceania | Papua New Guinea
Ancestor Figure
Papua New Guinea
Murik Lakes, Lower Sepik, East Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea
Early 20th century
Carved wood, pigments and fibers
Height: 10 ½ in. – 26.5 cm
Provenance
Collection Serge Brignoni, Lugano
Collection John & Marcia Friede, the Jolika Collection, Rye, New York
Collection Fred and Kathleen Taylor, San Francisco
Collection Bruce Frank, New York
Collection Norberto Izquierdo, Paris
Galerie Flak, Paris
Private collection, Nice
Publication
“Powerful Magic Miniature Sculpture from the Sepik River Region”, B. Frank, 2013, fig. 7
Merik figure 26.5 cm / Galerie FLAK
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The strikingly dynamic figure presented here is emblematic of the cultures of the Lower Sepik.
This incarnation of a mythological spirit associated with the clan played a preponderant role in the process of initiation of young men and at other events marking different stages in their lives (war, rituals, social events, etc.).
Guarantors of the clan’s well being, these figures were kept in the Men’s House. A place for sharing and discussion, the Men’s House constituted the very heart of the ceremonial life in the villages of the Lower Sepik.
This incarnation of a mythological spirit associated with the clan played a preponderant role in the process of initiation of young men and at other events marking different stages in their lives (war, rituals, social events, etc.).
Guarantors of the clan’s well being, these figures were kept in the Men’s House. A place for sharing and discussion, the Men’s House constituted the very heart of the ceremonial life in the villages of the Lower Sepik.
Publication
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