CROCHET ANTHROPOMORPHE, ABELAM, PROVINCE DE L'EAST SEPIK, PAPOUASIE-NOUVELLE-GUINÉE |

Crochet anthropomorphe, Abelam, Province de l'East Sepik, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée

Wayne Heathcote, Londres
Collection Dr. Peter Elliot, Sydney
Mossgreen Auction, Sydney, 30 août 2015, n° 346
Christopher et Anna Thorpe, Sydney
Collection Elizabeth Pryce, Sydney

Very good condition overall.The protruding birds heads to the top of the head broken and reattached and possible minor restoration to the proper left shoulder. Minor chips, scratches, marks and abrasions throughout consistent with the object’s age and use within the culture. Much of the original pigment remains, although there has been wear to some parts and some is flaking off. Many vertical cracks cover the figure, in line with the grain of the wood, the longest approximately 20cm in length. A few small insect holes to reverse. Small label bearing Elizabeth Pryce collection inv. no. EP-68 on reverse of figure.
"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 à crochet créée par les Abelam a été sculptée pour représenter l'esprit ancestral Nggwalndu et était utilisée lors des cérémonies d'initiation. Cette figure, avec ses motifs bleus, rouges et jaunes aux motifs élaborés, illustre parfaitement le rôle important de la couleur dans la sculpture abelam. Les formes sculpturales arrondies offrent un bel équilibre, avec un motif symétrique et des crochets fixés au pied de la figure et tournés vers le haut, auxquels répondent les têtes de calao stylisées au-dessus de la tête. Le calao était un oiseau totémique pour les Abelam, symbole de la récolte de l'igname et de la chasse aux têtes, et il est souvent représenté au-dessus des têtes des sculptures des Abelam. Pour un personnage avec deux têtes d’oiseaux similaires au-dessus de la tête, voir l’œuvre de l’Art Gallery New South Wales. (inv. n° 396.1994) ou la figure du British Museum (inv. n° BM Oc1980,11.110)

This hook figure from the Abelam people was carved to represent the ancestral spirit Nggwalndu and used during initiation ceremonies. This figure with its bright blue, red and yellow designs in elaborate patterns, excellently demonstrates the important role colour played within Abelam sculpture. The rounded sculptural forms display a sense of balance throughout, with symmetrical design and upturned hooks to the bottom mirrored in the stylized heads of the hornbill above the head. The hornbill was a totemic bird for the Abelem, a symbol for the yam harvest and head-hunting, and is often depicted above the heads of Abelam sculpture.

For a figure with two similar birds heads to the top of the head, see Art Gallery New South Wales (inv. n° 396.1994) or the one from the British Museum (inv. n° BM Oc1980,11.110)