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Impressive Papua New Guinea Shield, Late 19th Century

19th Century

This sophisticated sculpture was realized from lymed French oak circa 1950. The perimeter of the piece consists of a mosaic of rectilinear blocks, while the interior rectangular pane...

This dynamic work was realized by the esteemed 20th Century modern artist Mon Levinson in 1964. The work was realized in 1964, and printed in 1965 by Chiron Press in New York- the same year that Levinson was included in the seminal Op-Art exhibition "The Responsive Eye", alongside contemporary luminaries such as Bridget Riley. An identical work from this edition resides in the permanent collection of the New York MoMA. This mixed media work consists of an translucent vinyl sheet layered over a print- part etching, part lithograph. The clear vinyl sheet is embossed with a tight pattern of sinuously curved repeating black lines and is subtly raised in places- creating a subtle three dimensionality and dynamic sense of movement. The paper is inscribed with the same recurring pattern of snaking black lines, like a fine filigree, with two weighty black geometric forms that appear to crowd the composition. Smaller geometric forms reside within creating the apparition of negative space in the bone hued paper. The juxtaposition of the delicate texture and colossal feeling forms imbues the piece with a stunning dynamism and tension, helping to explain why Levinson is among the most influential and important artist to come out of the Op Art movement. His work is in the permanent collections of important institutions around the world including the Museum of Modern Art as well as the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York. Signed by the artist and marked 18/200. The work comes presented in a custom walnut and white gilt frame...

Peruvian Figural Wood Carved Sculpture After Moche Stirrup Vessel, Dreamer: A stirrup vessel takes on the shape of a seated man with closed eyes, animated facial features, draped ...

"Mossi Head dress Mas ceremonies Rep Upper Volta" is a wood sculpture that includes various other materials such as fabric, and fibers. An abstracted animal with a hump and a bird on it's back make up the top of the headdress. 27" x 6" x 1" The Mossi states were created about 1500 A.D., when bands of horsemen rode north from what is now northern Ghana into the basin of the Volta River and conquered several less powerful peoples, including Dogon, Lela, Nuna, and Kurumba. These were integrated into a new society call Mossi, with the invaders as chiefs and the conquered as commoners. The Mossi make both political art and spiritual art. Figures are used by the ruling class to validate political power, and masks are used by the conquered peoples to control the forces of nature. The several mask styles reflect the diversity of the population before the 15th century invasion. Long tall masks...