SLENDER EARLY STONE CARVED FIGURE FROM AN ASMAT CEREMONIAL PADDLE
Origin:
Period/Date: Circa 1900 or before
Materials: Hardwood (mangrove), Ocher Pigment, Pitch/ Resin
Description: This slender elongated Asmat figure is quite an early "brute" style and belonged to the top of a long ceremonial canoe paddle. It was carved with non-metal tools. There are traces of remnant red ocher pigment around the ears, face, chest and lower extremities. The decoration on the body is deeply carved. He has a prominent phallus and as well as something "unusual" happing on the back (perhaps the back view of the phallus)? There is some very old black indigenous resin which was applied to the top of the head and underneath the chin. It is compelling as a sculpture especially how the feet terminate at the base at inward angles. There is an old cloth label which appears to read DB32. Presented on a custom wood base. A related example, arguably a masterpiece, can be seen on page 108 figure 99 of "Arts Primitifs, De L'Asie du Dud-Est", Collection of Alain Schoffel.
Dimensions: Height 18.25" (46 cm), Width 2.5" (5.5 cm)
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