Ornement de bouche, Nord de la Nouvelle-Irlande

Probablement Tasmanian Museum, Hobart, Australie (N° M2122)
Collection Félicia Dialossin, Paris
Collection Monsieur et Madame Philippe Solvit, Paris
Etude François de Ricqlès, Drouot Montaigne, Paris, 7 juin 1998, Arts Primitifs, Collection de Monsieur et Madame Philippe Solvit et à divers amateurs, n° 48

Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Two small breaks to the beak, glued. The top section of the bird's tail broken and glued. The feathers below the chest have been repainted, the differing shades evident in the catalogue illustration.
"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. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La tête du calao mâle adulte constitue le sujet le plus classique des ornements de bouche de Nouvelle-Irlande, soit près de la moitié de ceux aujourd'hui conservés dans des musées. Ils étaient utilisés soit dans le cadre des cérémonies malangan, soit lors de performances masquées. Celui-ci se distingue du corpus à plusieurs égards. L'oiseau est ici entièrement représenté – aile et queue déployées, bec entrouvert -, associé à l'image renversée d'un poisson volant sur les nageoires duquel il se perche, la mâchoire ouverte sur l'embout, la queue relevée dessinant la gorge de l'oiseau. A la complexité de l'iconographie répond celle du très beau décor ajouré, finement exécuté et mis en valeur par les couleurs très tranchées.

A mouth ornament, northern New Ireland

Mouthpiece depicting an adult male hornbill head, which was probably held in the mouth of a dancer. This is a distinctive and beautifully executed piece, with very distinct colours and intricate fretwork, and a visible gap between the upper and lower beaks. An image of a flying fish is carved into its underside, with its tail curving up to form the hornbill's chin, which is an unusual detail. These hornbill mouthpieces were used during malangan ceremonies, but they were also used in other dance performances that were not part of malangan traditions.

Vicky Barnecutt