Statue masculine, Bioma, Golfe de Papouasie, Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée

Acquis in situ par Thomas Schultze-Westrum, ca. 1965
Collection Jan Visser, Suisse, acquis en 1972
Loed et Mia van Bussel, Amsterdam
Galerie Visser, Bruxelles
Collection privée, New York, acquis en 2005

Good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. Very well preserved polychromy in red, brown and white pigments. To the top of the figure, the tip of the proper left side projecting element shows an old break with a possible loss. Several old breaks/glued are visible to both sides of the figure; the left arm is maintained by old nails from below. Several insect holes throughout and wear to edges, especially to the rear. Still at the reverse of the figure, 3 small drill holes to the neck and head.
"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."

Cette figure bioma se distingue par l’inventivité de ses formes et la qualité exceptionnelle de sa polychromie. La dynamique sculpturale, jouant sur le libre mouvement des volumes stylisés en deux dimensions, concentre l’attention sur l’expression du visage. L'équilibre de la composition naît de la prégnance des espaces ajourés dont le rythme ancre la figure dans l'espace. A l'élaboration de la construction s'ajoute celle du décor pictural, témoignant tant de son ancienneté que de l'inventivité saisissante des artistes du golfe de Papouasie.

Les figures bioma anthropomorphes servaient à abriter temporairement les esprits des ancêtres et rappelaient leur présence aux vivants. Le style et les motifs - identifiables par chaque membre de la communauté - devaient être suffisamment séduisants pour attirer les esprits des ancêtres qui, en retour, protégeraient leurs propriétaires. Voir Welsch, Webb et Haraha (Coaxing the Spirits to Dance: Art and Society in the Papuan Gulf, 2006, p. 90, n° 148) pour une figure bioma très apparentée, conservée au Brooklyn Museum (inv. n° 51.118.9).