- 7
FLÈCHE FAÎTIÈRE, KANAK, NOUVELLE-CALÉDONIE |
Estimate
12,000 - 18,000 EUR
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Description
- wod
- haut. 151 cm ; 59 1/2 in
Flèche faîtière, Kanak, Nouvelle-Calédonie
Provenance
Collection Leo et Karin Van Oosterom, Amsterdam, acquis en 1970
Transmis par descendance
Transmis par descendance
Condition
Good condition overall. Stabilised cracks inherent to the wood. Tip broken/glued. As visible in the catalogue illustration, a few losses, particularly on the proper left side of the headdress. Deep erosion but wear consistent with its great age and use within the culture.
"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
Strictement frontales, les flèches faîtières gomoa étaient placées au sommet de la Grande Case, foyer central de la culture Kanak. Elles évoquent le visage de l'esprit ancestral et représentent l'image de la communauté des esprits des défunts (Boulay in Newton, Arts des mers du sud, Insulinde, Mélanésie, Polynésie, Micronésie, collections du musée Barbier-Mueller, 1998, p. 300). Symboles de l'aîné, elles pouvaient également orner la sépulture d'un chef de clan. Sculptée dans le traditionnel bois de houp, cette œuvre se distingue par la concentration des traits du petit visage barbu, surmonté d’un ornement majestueux signifiant un turban de bandes roulées d’étoffe de liber. Cette interprétation de la figure ancestrale résumée à son visage se retrouve sur une flèche faîtière conservée au musée de Bâle (Sarasin, Ethnographie des Kanak de Nouvelle-Calédonie et des Îles Loyauté (1911-1912), 1929, pl. 41, n° 8). À cette rare iconographie répond la qualité de la sculpture, visible sous la profonde érosion qui atteste sa grande ancienneté.