Antique Hand Carved Crocodile Head Canoe Prow

View Similar Items

Pair of Carved Wood Catfish Head Boat Prows on Custom Stands--New Guinea

Kerala Spiral Carved-Wood Boat Prow from Southern India

Hand Carved Wood Canoe Prow from Papua New Guinea

Baga a-Bamp Bird Headdress with Canoe

Early Incised Carved Gourd Rattle From Congo Africa Man Zebra Crocodile Rhino

Maori Hand Carved Tribal Sculpture of Hunter

Antique Nupe Carved Wood Openwork Geometric Stool

Crocodile Head Boat Prow from Papua New Guinea

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples

Antique Nupe Carved Wood Stool With Openwork Geometric Design, Niger Africa

Pair of Massim Canoe Splash Boards from Papua, New Guinea

Early 20th Century African Antique Wood Comb with Human Head

Want more images or videos?

Request additional images or videos from the seller

1 of 11

Antique Hand Carved Crocodile Head Canoe Prow

About the Item

A remarkable hand carved wooden crocodile canoe prow figure, collected from the Central Sepik River region of Papua, New Guinea, Oceania, dating to the late 19th / early 20th century, likely Iatmul peoples. The exceptionally executed Indonesian antique, circa 1900, depicts a richly detailed, naturalistic rendering of a crocodile head, the sculptural carving features textured incised decorated skin, atop a sleek triangular shaped head with eyes protruding from the top, an elongated snout display a jaw full of large jagged teeth exposed from it's snarling mouth. The crocodile is symbolic to the Iatmul, who believe they are descended from a giant crocodile, and that the world is the back of that first crocodile. Not simply decoration, the canoe prow figure would act to protect the crew during their voyage. Secured to the ship just at the water line, he would alternately rise above the water and dip down below it, surveying the horizon, and then the depths of the ocean, to detect, and see off, any human or supernatural forces that might come against the ship. Assuring the wind stayed calm and the waves low, he secured safe passage for the ship through his effective presence. A dugout canoe was the most important mobility device in the Sepik River region. In mythology the crocodiles encorporate a "gulping monster", used at initiation rites. It was of decisive importance in religious and ritual contexts, and was the most significant and symbolic art theme within the entire region. Accordingly it was the preferred motif for prow figures of dugout canoes, which were used for transportation, fishing, and warfare, including cannibalism during headhunter raids in former times. The success of these ventures depended not only on the skill and preparation of the clansman, but on the protection of the canoe’s features. Crocodiles play a central role in the art and culture of the Iatmul people. According to one Iatmul creation account, an ancestral crocodile was responsible for forming the land. In the beginning, the earth was covered by a primordial ocean, into whose depths the crocodile dived. Reaching the bottom, it brought up on its back a load of mud, which became an island when it surfaced. From that island, the land grew and hardened, but it continues to rest on the back of the ancestral crocodile, which occasionally moves, causing earthquakes. Both now and in the past, the prows of most sizeable canoes are ornamental, as here, in the sculptural form of a crocodile. The scale of the present work indicates that it probably adorned a small to medium sized war canoe, capable of holding from three to ten men. These canoes, hollowed from a single massive log, were also used for trading and fishing expeditions. Although canoes are no longer used in common tribal warfare, contemporary Iatmul carvers continue to make large examples for use in trade and general transportation. An authentic example such as this would look wonderful displayed atop a console, large shelf, or table! Important, whimsical, and most unusual, with rich, cultural historic depth, and rustic ancient character, this primitive tribal folk art work is the perfect decorative object, interesting, conversational, and artistic, it's sure to standout! Provenance: Acquired from an Austin, Texas, estate, part of an important private collection. Note: A very similar sculpture is on display at the MET Museum, Fifth Avenue, NYC. Exhibited at The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1955–1978; Part of the Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Purchased by Nelson A. Rockefeller, Gift, 1955, prior Julius Carlebach Gallery, New York, until 1955. Dimensions: (approx) 19" Long, 3.25" High, 7.5" Wide.

Dimensions:
Height: 3.25 in (8.26 cm)Width: 19 in (48.26 cm)Depth: 7.5 in (19.05 cm)
Style:
Tribal (In the Style Of)
Materials and Techniques:
Wood,Hand-Carved,Hand-Crafted
Place of Origin:
Papua New Guinea
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1900
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Forney, TX
Reference Number:
1stDibs: LU5977227166332

More From This Seller

View All

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples

Located in Forney, TX

A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted by four-legged animal, over round face, with mouth ajar and incised jagged teeth exposed, protruding almond shaped eyes, scattered remnants of pigment, full raffia fiber fringe, mounted on wood stand. A superb museum quality example, this remarkable tribal folk art sculpture is a wonderful way to add rustic warmth, rich historical depth, and fascinating cultural interest to any space! Dimensions: (approx) Overall: 26" High, 9" Wide, 10.25" Deep; Mask only: 15" Tall; 7 lbs total Provenance / Acquisition: Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas. Excellent Condition: Nicely aged distressed patina over the whole. Highly desirable wear consistent with age and indicative of use, including scattered losses, antique character marks and typical signs of aging throughout. Retaining scattered remnants of original pigment. Overall a superb museum quality example Primitive Arts Of Africa: Among the Suku of the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, masks plays crucial role in protecting boys during initiation, the vulnerable period between boyhood and manhood. The power contained in Hemba masks...

Category

Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Raffia, Wood

Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples

$2,600

Antique African Tribal Carved Bone TOTEM Ceremonial Pipe

Located in Forney, TX

An unusual and whimsical figural TOTEM carved bone ceremonial pipe, displayed raised on a custom wooden Stand. Outstanding patina. Superb condition. Dimensions: (approx) Pipe...

Category

Early 20th Century Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Bone, Wood

Antique African Tribal Carved Bone TOTEM Ceremonial Pipe

$635

Monumental Oceanic Asmat People Carved Painted Wooden War Shield

Located in Forney, TX

A monumental, rare and important Oceanic Papuan Asmat People tribal carved war shield from the first half of the 20th century, collected from the coast of the headhunting tribe in Papua New Guinea, a Provincial Indonesian island in the mid 20th century. Among the Asmat, war shields are the most powerful symbolic element of a warrior's equipment, and have many layers of meaning. Traditionally, they were functional items used to protect warriors in battle by deflecting an enemy's spears and arrows. The carved and painted images on the surface of the shields were also intended to frighten the enemy and symbolize the power of the ancestors. Ancestral imagery appears on multiple forms of Asmat art...

Category

Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Monumental Oceanic Asmat People Carved Painted Wooden War Shield

$2,300

Important Oceanic Carved Asmat Tribal Sago Bowl Serving Platter after War Shield

Located in Forney, TX

A rare and important Oceanic Papuan Asmat tribal carved ancestral sago bowl (also known as a platter, serving shield and tray) crafted in the likes of the...

Category

20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Wood, Paint

Important Oceanic Carved Asmat Tribal Sago Bowl Serving Platter after War Shield

$1,250

Antique Spanish Colonial Carved Ship Prow Sculpture

Located in Forney, TX

Scarce Spanish Colonial era wooden boat prow. circa 1800 Born around the late 18th / early 19th century, this large sculptural hand-carved architectural salvaged ornamental ship element features a distinctive wave shape with curling volute, incised carving with decorative round medallion, and highly desirable heavily worn and weathered patina! A superb example, museum quality, the artistic Folk Art work makes for a wonderful decorative object, intriguing cultural sculpture...

Category

Antique Late 18th Century Spanish Colonial Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Wood

Antique Spanish Colonial Carved Ship Prow Sculpture

$3,500

Antique Native American Indigenous Peoples Carved Polychrome Canoe Model

Located in Forney, TX

An exceptionally rare antique Native American / Indigenous Peoples hand carved and painted wooden dugout canoe model, dating to the early 20th century or earlier, likely Pacific Nort...

Category

Early 20th Century North American Native American Sculptures and Carvings

Materials

Twine, Wood, Paint

Antique Native American Indigenous Peoples Carved Polychrome Canoe Model

$2,500

20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Pair of Carved Wood Catfish Head Boat Prows on Custom Stands--New Guinea

$777 / set

Kerala Spiral Carved-Wood Boat Prow from Southern India

Located in Atlanta, GA

A South Indian (Kerala) wooden boat prow from the mid-20th century. This hand carved boat prow from Kerala is adorn with pierced spiral-carved volute, suppor...

Category

20th Century Indian Tribal Art

Materials

Wood

Kerala Spiral Carved-Wood Boat Prow from Southern India

$2,470

Hand Carved Wood Canoe Prow from Papua New Guinea

Located in Atlanta, GA

A vintage carved wood crocodile head boat prow from Papua New Guinea. This mid-20th century Papua New Guinean boat prow has been carved out of wood and features the head of a crocodi...

Category

Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Animal Sculptures

Materials

Iron

Hand Carved Wood Canoe Prow from Papua New Guinea

$1,820

Baga a-Bamp Bird Headdress with Canoe

Located in Chicago, IL

This graceful sculpture of a long-necked bird is a headdress known as "a-Bamp," worn during ritual masquerades of Baga adolescents in Guinea. With strong themes of defiance, these ma...

Category

Mid-20th Century Guinean Tribal Animal Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Baga a-Bamp Bird Headdress with Canoe

$2,380

Early Incised Carved Gourd Rattle From Congo Africa Man Zebra Crocodile Rhino

Located in Point Richmond, CA

Early Incised Carved One-piece Gourd Rattle from Congo Africa. Great (unknown) stories shown including a man, snake, two rhinos, a zebra (?) crocodile and on the other side a long s...

Category