- 23
Figure de proue de pirogue, Nguzunguzu, Nouvelle-Géorgie, Îles Salomon
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 EUR
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Description
- Figure de proue de pirogue, Nguzunguzu, Nouvelle-Géorgie
- wood
- haut. 15 cm
- 6 in
Provenance
Collection privée, Allemagne
Collection Rik Reinking, Hambourg
Collection Rik Reinking, Hambourg
Condition
Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Losses to the finger tips and trace of wear to the dark patina around the edges. The mother of pearl ornamentation is in very good condition. The holding edge shows wear consistent with age and use and is in good condition.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
Les expéditions de chasse aux têtes menées dans les îles voisines jouaient un rôle primordial dans la vie religieuse, économique et politique des Salomon. Fixé à la proue des grandes pirogues de guerre, « le nguzunguzu, auquel on prêtait des facultés sensorielles bien supérieures à celles des hommes, était censé observer, intercepter, réagir et interagir avec n’importe quel esprit malveillant rencontré au cours du voyage » (Mélandri et Révolon, L’éclat des ombres. L’art en noir et blanc des îles Salomon, 2014, p. 124).
Le visage allongé aux traits zoomorphes, qui s’inspire de la morphologie de Tiola (esprit d’apparence canine), suggère que cette figure de proue nguzunguzu provient des Salomon centrales et plus précisément de la Nouvelle-Géorgie. La petite dimension qui la distingue exacerbe ses très belles qualités sculpturales : tension des lignes, grande délicatesse des modelés et finesse des incrustations de nacre contrastant avec la profondeur de la patine sombre.