A Rare Arapesh or Boiken Male Ancestor Figure, Prince Alexander Mountains, Papua New Guinea

Collected in situ by Wayne Heathcote, ca. 1960s
Walter Randell, New York, acquired from the above
John A. Friede, Rye, acquired from the above in the 1970s

Anthony Meyer, Oceanic Art, Cologne, 1995, vol. 1, p. 318, fig. 355
John A. Friede et al, New Guinea Art. Masterpieces from the JOLIKA Collection of Marcia and John Friede, Florence, 2005, vol. 1, p. 331, cat. 296; vol. 2, p. 131, cat. 296

Good condition overall for an object of this rare type and age; vertical age cracks throughout with a concentration on the figure's face, torso and proper right leg; proper right ear broken and reattached; vertical segment between proper right knee and arm broken twice and reattached; proper right leg broken through thigh and reattached, left leg broken through hip and vertical section between knee and arm broken on top and reattached; insect damage, termite channel through abdomen and face as seen on photographs, age crack through headband; some losses, wear and tear as seen on photographs; reverse of proper right arm eroded; weathered patina with red, yellow, orange and white pigment.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The Arapesh inhabit the area northwest of the Sepik River Delta behind the Torricelli Mountains. They are related to the Abelam and their art could be characterized as a more abstract version of Abelam sculpture.

In his discussion of the offered lot in his encyclopedic book Oceanic Art, Meyer (1995: 319, text to fig. 355) notes: "The humanoid figures carved by the Arapesh are strangely different in composition to those of their neighbors. Two main types exist, both depicted with their hands raised. The smaller ones are carved in the round, while the larger ones are generally flattish, if not concave as in the present example. The figures represent ancient ancestral spirits."