STATUE, ASMAT, IRIAN JAYA, INDONÉSIE |

Statue, Asmat, Irian Jaya, Indonésie

Acquis par les Pères du Sacré Cœur de Tillburg
Michel Thieme, Amsterdam
Collection John et Marcia Friede, New York
Martin Doustar, Bruxelles
Collection privée, Bruxelles

Very good condition overall. Minor wear and abrasions throughout consistent with age and use within the culture. Broken and glued at several places. Old restoration to the hands of the figure, with a nail inserted. Excellent preservation of the pigment throughout.
"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."

Représentée dans la position originelle des ancêtres fondateurs (Friede, New Guinea Art, Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, n° 517), cette figure est caractéristique du corpus rare des créations les plus archaïques Asmat, comme en témoignent les deux statues du Museum voor Volkenkunde de Leyden acquises avant 1913 (inv. n° 1971-989 et 1971-986). La représentation humaine est ici stylisée à l’extrême : si la tête est parfaitement identifiable, le corps est beaucoup plus énigmatique, évoquant celui d’une mante religieuse, iconographie classique chez les Asmat. L’épure de cette structure est accentuée par l’utilisation de pigments ocres rehaussant l’œuvre à certains endroits. Si elle s’apparente à la statue de l’ancienne collection Pierre Matisse (Sotheby’s, New York, 13 mai 2011, n° 169) et à celle ayant également appartenu à John et Marcia Friede (n° 517), elle s’en distingue cependant par sa saisissante abstraction témoignant d’une vision artistique unique. Depicted in the original stance of the founding ancestors (Friede, New Guinea Art, Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, No. 517), this figure is typical of the rare corpus of the most archaic Asmat creations, as seen in the two statues held at the Museum voor Volkenkunde in Leyden, acquired before 1913 (inv. No.1971-989 and 1971-986). In this piece, human representation is stylized in the extreme: although the head is perfectly identifiable, the body is much more enigmatic, evoking that of a praying mantis; classic iconography for the Asmat. The pared-down outline of this structure is accentuated by the use of ochre pigments enhancing the piece in certain places. Although it is quite similar to the figure from the former Pierre Matisse collection (Sotheby’s, New York, 13 May 2011, No. 169) and to the one that belonged to John and Marcia Friede (No. 517), it differs from them in its striking abstraction, a testament to a unique artistic vision.