Abelam Ancestor Pole, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century

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Abelam Ancestor Pole, Papua New Guinea, 20th Century

About the Item

Large gable ornament of a man's house carved with an ancestor figure, with a jutting ovoid head, surmounted by two parallel birds with disc shaped bodies and large downward curved beaks. Beneath him emerge two cursory arms. A smaller bird is seated upon his chest and adorned with a medallion pattern on body, framed upon his chest. The concentric circular abdomen is surrounded by bird heads with long pointed beaks. Another bird is sculpted, seated at his feet with wings splayed. These brilliantly painted figures and other images portraying the powerful clan spirits called nggwalndu. They are carved to protect the people from harm, give strength to initiated men, and promote the growth of yams. The bird on the figure’s head signifies the mythical relationship between the human and animal world. Paint scheme is overall abstract in bold polychrome pigments of black, ocher red, yellow and white. Maprik region, Papua New Guinea. Age crack, bird at base reattached. Not too old, but a very attractive and decorative piece. A similar piece is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. Provenance: Estate of Dr. Ruth Lax, NYC. The Abelam practice perhaps the longest and most interesting initiation cycle of any New Guinea peoples. Starting at childhood, the male must overcome eight separate initiation rites over the course of twenty to thirty years, before he is a fully initiated and considered a man. Each ritual requires a physical challenge and confronting elaborate displays of sacred objects in specially constructed chambers within the men’s house, these sacred carvings are hidden from women and the uninitiated children. For the Abelam people, paint is a supernatural material that endows the figures with magical power and beauty. In creating their displays, sculptors strive to achieve a visual splendor that will conquer the viewer.

Dimensions:
Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 11.5 in (29.21 cm)
Style:
Primitive (Of the Period)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
Papua New Guinea
Period:
20th Century
Date of Manufacture:
20th Century
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
San Pedro Garza Garcia, MX
Reference Number:
Seller: OC-0031stDibs: LU3172312229451