Spirit Board, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea
gope
Wood, kaolin
height 36 1/2in (93cm)
Provenance:
Private English Collection, acquired in the 1950s
By descent to present owner
Private Collection, San Francisco
According to Friede (2005, Vol. 2, p. 161), "Gope were displayed in a village men's house and represented powerful spirits or mythical ancestors who were associated with warfare and headhunting. They had the magical capacity of helping the warriors in their group by making them invisible while also weakening the enemy."
Wood, kaolin
height 36 1/2in (93cm)
Provenance:
Private English Collection, acquired in the 1950s
By descent to present owner
Private Collection, San Francisco
According to Friede (2005, Vol. 2, p. 161), "Gope were displayed in a village men's house and represented powerful spirits or mythical ancestors who were associated with warfare and headhunting. They had the magical capacity of helping the warriors in their group by making them invisible while also weakening the enemy."
Sold for
US$ 4,375
inc. premium
Category: Ethnographic Art / African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art
Auction terms and conditions
Contacts
Fredric Backlar
Bonhams
Work
7601 W. Sunset Boulevard
Los Angeles,
90046
United States
WorkTel:
+1 323 436 5416
FaxFax: +1 323 850 5843
Specialist
-
African, Oceanic and Pre-Columbian Art