Pacific Art from the Collection of Harry A. Franklin
Pacific Art from the Collection of Harry A. Franklin
IATMUL SPEAR THROWER (MINO TYPE)
Auction Closed
May 13, 03:32 PM GMT
Estimate
2,500 - 3,500 USD
Lot Details
Description
IATMUL SPEAR THROWER (MINO TYPE)
Middle Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea
Wood, pigments, fiber
Length: 42 ½ in (105.4 cm)
As Friede notes, "elaborately decorated spear throwers (the mino type) were not actually meant to be used in warfare. They were employed in initiation ceremonies where they were part of the 'splendid outfit of the initiates for the various rituals which concluded the period of initiation'." (Friede, ed., New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Vol. 2, p. 117, text to cat. no. 217).