NEW GUINEA MIDDLE SEPIK SUSPENSION HOOK

Origin:  New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, Likely Iatmul People    (Provenance:  Acquired from a French collector who originally purchased it from Jo de Buck, Brussels)

Period/Date:  Likely circa 1940's, possibly older

Materials: Hardwood, Cowrie shell

Description:  This classic hook with whimsical ancestor face and elegant open body is presented on a custom metal stand.  There appears to be stylized animals with pod feet on each side of the body.  The hook has seen a lot of use and has acquired a dark varied semi-encrusted patina.  There is an old glued mend to the right tip of the base of the hook.  

Suspensions hooks were important in the day to day safe storage of food.  They hung from the interior rafters of houses.  Food was placed in net bags which hung from the tips of the hook effectively keeping rats away and guarding the food supply.

Dimensions:   Height 34.75"  (88.5 cm), Width 9.25"  (23.5 cm)

Price:   $3800    Currency Conversion      FREE SHIPPING With (Buy Now) Feature!