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RARE 19thCENTURY BLACKWATER LAKES SPIRIT FIGURE browse these categories for related items... Directory: Antiques:Regional Art:Oceanic: Pre 1900: Item # 439937
AnthroArts By Appointment Only San Diego, California 619-801-1553 Guest Book SOLD |
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| Blackwater Peoples (Kambriman language group), Blackwater Lakes Region, Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea, 19th Century. A very scarce 19th century piece, a representational 'Spirit Figure'. Originally painted, this piece has only survived the past one hundred plus years by having been carved from Garamut wood (Vivex confossus), one of the few species not eaten by termites; and having been saved all these many generations as a religious object, kept and venerated. This wonderful piece, when carved in the 1800's, was carved with only stone tools - all that was known to these peoples, then. With the advent of Christianity in the region, traditional religious beliefs such as this represents have declined markedly; and since the mid-twentieth century, are all but forgotten. 'Pre-War' or pre-mid-twentieth century cultural art and artifacts from New Guinea are quite scarce, and true Nineteenth Century pieces such as this are especially rare. | ||
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