Solomon Islands Folk Art
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Place of Origin: Solomon Islands
Solomon Islands Santa Cruz Hand Carved Conical Head "Duka" Figure, 1930s
Located in South Burlington, VT
Originally collected in the Solomon Islands in 1938, this one of a kind treasure from the south pacific comes from a private oceanic collection.
This is a Solomon Islands Santa Cruz hand carved figure called a Duka, circa 1930s.
It was carved in an extremely hard native wood and features a finely carved, unusual extended conical head, a handwoven loin cloth and turmeric encrustation. For your convenience, many of our photographs were taken in natural day light which accurately illuminate surface areas depicting original dark patina that you would expect from an important early carving such as this one. We will include a complimentary custom wood display base that you see photographed.
Dimensions: 21.25 inches high
Provenance: collected in l938 and originally acquired by a visiting French collecting tourist in the Solomon Islands then to dealer and Texas collector and to our private collection in year 2000 so could have been a specially crafted fine 1930s tourist sculpture piece for the visiting French tourist.
History:
Duka sculpture from Nendo Island, politically part of the Solomon Islands, is distinctive, and only a limited number of works have been documented. The conical extension at the back of the head represents a man's hairstyle. Called abe, its construction and shape was a symbol of wealth and high social status, and for older men, it also served the practical purpose of covering bald spots. All Nendo figure refer to deities or supernatural beings (Ellis: 2009, pp. 78-85)
Auction sale: Bonhams Auctions April 28, 2015 sale. Exceptional Lime Container...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Solomon Islands Folk Art
Materials
Tapestry, Wood
A Solomon Islands red feather money coil or 'Tevau'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Santa Cruz, Nendö, late 19th/early 20th century
Retaining an original leaf in which these coils were wrapped.
L. 72 cm (stretched out)
Diam. 34 cm (roll)
One of the most remarkabl...
Category
Late 19th Century Antique Solomon Islands Folk Art
Materials
Feathers
A Rare Double Roll of Pacific Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz, Red Feather Currency
Located in London, GB
A Rare Double Roll of Pacific Solomon Islands, Santa Cruz, Red Feather Currency ‘Tevau’
Plant fibre, bark strips, red bird feathers, small shells, glass beads
Solomon Islands
...
Category
19th Century Antique Solomon Islands Folk Art
Materials
Feathers
Very rare Melanesian armbands made of woven palm fibers and tiny shells
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Melanesia, Southwestern Pacific Ocean, 19th century
Some very rare Melanesian armbands made of woven palm fibers and tiny shells, dating from the 19th century (at least).
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Category
19th Century Antique Solomon Islands Folk Art
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Objects crafted from the shell of the giant Tridacna clam, also known as the fossilized giant clam, held great value among numerous Melanesian peoples. The artistry of working with f...
Category
19th Century Tribal Antique Solomon Islands Folk Art
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Shell
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The Tribes from the Solomon Islands worshipped the skulls of their ancestors as being the home of their spirits. If no remains of a great man were pres...
Category
1890s Antique Solomon Islands Folk Art
Materials
Coral
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