Spirit Board, Gope Ethnic District, Gulf of Papua, Papua New Guinea

Kópe

Field number '297' and collection date '4.4.66' in pencil to the reverse

Collected in the village of Buri (Gope ethnic district) by Thomas Schultze-Westrum on April 4, 1966
Private Collection, Germany

Good condition overall, with wear typical for an object of this age and type and use within the tradition context. Some wear, chips, nicks, and minor losses, and some thin age cracks, all partially visible in the catalogue illustration. Some small indentations scattered to the reverse. Old surface pigments, with areas of heavily encrusted 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. 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."

This well preserved spirit board, kópe, shows every sign of having been executed using only the traditional tools of mussel shell, boar’s tusk, and bone chisel. The wood used to shape important kópe boards such as this was taken from canoes conquered in head-hunting raids.

The present kópe "originates from the classical period of art unfolding in the region east of Kerewo, at an early stage of the Gope ethnic conformation. It was made in Old Meagoma that does not exist anymore - this parental village had been established from the innovative tribal center of Imigibi/Mure, located further west on the Ivi River [...] Below the face, multiplied elements indicate the building of a gradually (over the generations) evolving body with arms and legs; it is characteristic for the ethnic entities east of Kerewo (Urama, Gope, Era-Kipaia) that an anthropomorphous trunk is only designed as a supplemenary feature – the stylisized titi [motifs] components being originally taken from the head: mouth and nostrils. These elements were applied as independent design motives, but their anatomical descent can still be recognized. The lower lips are commonly split. The entire titi can be twisted 90 or 180 degrees and the nostrils superimposed upon the (open) mouth." (Thomas Schultze-Westrum, private communication).