Items Similar to Vanuatu Fernwood Grade Ritual Figure, Ambrym Island
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 9
Vanuatu Fernwood Grade Ritual Figure, Ambrym Island
$10,000
£7,558.76
€8,686.36
CA$13,924.94
A$15,490.92
CHF 8,120.54
MX$189,295.30
NOK 103,404.90
SEK 97,341.41
DKK 64,840.38
Shipping
Retrieving quote...The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation
About the Item
Vanuatu Fernwood Grade Ritual Figure, Ambrym Island. A sculpture carved from a solid section of the fibrous trunk of a tree fern composed of aerial roots surrounding a woody core, in the distinctive Vanuatu human form of a large headed male crouching with extended belly, the elongated arms extending underneath with the fingers touching, prominent pointed nose with flared nostrils, protruding round disc eyes, crested hair.
Figures such as these were created as part of the complex system of 'grade' rituals through which an individual was able to progress through a succession of different ranks, each of which conferred increasing social status, religious knowledge and, most crucially, equivalent rank in the afterlife. Indeed, on rare occasion it was possible for an individual who had attained the highest possible grade to become a member of the 'living dead', possessing the status of a revered ancestor even before their physical death.
Progression in grade could take several years, and each increase in rank required ever greater expense and effort, with the initiate compelled to commission artworks and to distribute wealth, usually in the form of sacred tusker pigs. Figures were used in only one ceremony and different sizes were required for each increase in grade.
During the grade rites, grade figures are erected on the dancing ground and serve as temporary abode for the spirits associated with the grade. After the ceremony, the figure, its purpose served, is left on the dancing ground, its supernatural powers waning as it slowly deteriorates.
For a similar figure see: Sotheby’s New York, 16 May 2014 African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art Including Property from the Krugier and Lasansky Collections, lot 328 Property of Dr. Richard Mahler, New York and Sotheby’s New York, May 12, 2005 African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art, p. 25, lot 20.
- Dimensions:Height: 49 in (124.46 cm)Width: 9 in (22.86 cm)Depth: 12 in (30.48 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid 20th century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Signs of weathering, minor losses, otherwise fine condition.
- Seller Location:Point Richmond, CA
- Reference Number:Seller: TM-EH400011stDibs: LU1778236680412
About the Seller
5.0
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 1999
1stDibs seller since 2015
686 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Palm Springs, CA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllEarly 20th Century Sago Peg, Abelam/Wosera People, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Sago peg, tapak, Abelam/Wosera people, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Sago pegs are used to secure a screen mesh during the preparation of sago flour. This example depicts a ...
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Shell
Early Ibibio Standing Wood Male Shrine Figure, powerful, Nigeria, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early Ibibio standing carved wood male figure, powerful expression with hands on sides of stomach, exposed teeth and vertical raised scarification marks on sides of face. From a shr...
Category
Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
$2,360 Sale Price
20% Off
Yipwon Figure, Papua New Guinea
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Yiman (Alamblak) People, Southern Hills, Middle Sepik River
42 x 10 x 2 in. / 107 x 25 x 5 cm
The Yipwon are the patron spirits of hunting and warfare.
Category
20th Century Papua New Guinean Other Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Luba Kabeja Janus Double Figure with Skirt, ex Irwin Hersey DRC Congo, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Classic Luba Kabeja Janus Double Figure or fetish with Skirt fetish of darkened wood with polished and worn patina. Striking eyes, and both male and female figures shown with hands ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Striking Large Abstract Adan Figure Arm Up, Ghana, Early 20th Century
Located in Point Richmond, CA
This is the largest Adan shrine figure we have ever seen at 27 1/2 inches high. Usually Adan figures are a third of this size or less. At this scale the sculptural skill of Adan arti...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
$760 Sale Price
47% Off
Early 20th Century Male Baule Figure, Ivory Coast, Africa
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century male baule figure, ivory coast, Africa
A stylistically pleasing sculpture of a spiritual spouse (blolo bian) from the Baule culture....
Category
Early 20th Century Ivorian Other Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Papua New Guinea, Carved Sepik figure
Located in London, GB
Wood
H60 x W19 x D19 cm
Category
20th Century Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Wood
Tribal Wooden Statue From Papua New Guinea
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An beautiful Wooden Statue from Papua New Guinea from the Sepik Region,
a seating figure with the typical Sepik features,
good patina and shine of the wood, powerful object
Category
Vintage 1970s Asian Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Old Papua New Guinea Male Ancestral Figure
Located in Rochester, NY
Papua New Guinea standing male ancestral figure. Hand carved from a single piece of wood. Beautiful old pigmented surface w/ finely decorated facial features and shell eyes. Good sig...
Category
Mid-20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Shell, Wood
Large Buyu Protection Figure Democratic Republic Congo Africa
Located in Rochester, NY
Old Buyu male ancestral protection power figure showing good signs of genuine age w/ beautiful old color patina. Democratic Republic Congo, Africa. Mid 20th. Measures 32" h x 10" w x...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Genuine carved wooden statuefrom the Teke tribe, DR Congo, early 1900
Located in Bilzen, BE
A genuine carved wooden statue from the Teke (Bateke) tribe DR Congo
Early 1900
Rich tribal used aged patina
mounted on a wooden base
Total heigth 18.5 cm, heigth figure 16.3 cm, ba...
Category
Early 20th Century Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Oceanic Islands Carved Wood Male Figure
Located in Rochester, NY
Oceanic islands carved hardwood standing male figure w/ finely detailed anatomical features and beautifully aged surface color wear patina. Selling w/ a custom iron stand as shown ...
Category
20th Century Unknown Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Iron
