Cassandra D'Cruz
Specialist, Head of Sale
This auction has ended. View lot details
You may also be interested in
Lot 5
Carved Female Figure, Washkuk area, Upper Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
13 November 2018, 11:00 EST
New YorkUS$8,000 - US$12,000
Looking for a similar item?
Our African and Oceanic Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.
Find your local specialistAsk about this lot
Carved Female Figure, Washkuk area, Upper Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
nogwi
height 52 3/4in (134cm)
Provenance
Wayne Heathcote, New York
Britton Nominees Pty Limited Collection, Sydney, acquired in 1980
Henry Davis York Collection, Sydney
Nogwi was the last and most secret yam harvest observance, confined to the most powerful, senior men in society and initiates called Nogwidji. During the observance, "Nogwi carvings were then brought into the house; they were two almost life-size figures of women named Hameiyau and Sanggriayau. The Nogwidgi went about the village, from which the women had run away in fear of the figures, smashing the pots belonging to the people of their respective clans--the destruction was later attributed to the female spirits." (Newton, Douglas, Crocodile and Cassowary - Religious Art of the Upper Sepik River, New Guinea, The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1971, p. 88)
Carved in the round in a fluid and mysterious composition with long, attenuated torso, legs and arms, the rounded head with flat facial plane highlighted with pink and white pigments; the abdomen accentuated with an incised amoebic form with incised crescents accented with alternating pink and white pigments; alternating bands of orange and white pigments decorate the legs and arms; dark brown encrusted patina showing wear indicative of significant age and cultural use.
height 52 3/4in (134cm)
Provenance
Wayne Heathcote, New York
Britton Nominees Pty Limited Collection, Sydney, acquired in 1980
Henry Davis York Collection, Sydney
Nogwi was the last and most secret yam harvest observance, confined to the most powerful, senior men in society and initiates called Nogwidji. During the observance, "Nogwi carvings were then brought into the house; they were two almost life-size figures of women named Hameiyau and Sanggriayau. The Nogwidgi went about the village, from which the women had run away in fear of the figures, smashing the pots belonging to the people of their respective clans--the destruction was later attributed to the female spirits." (Newton, Douglas, Crocodile and Cassowary - Religious Art of the Upper Sepik River, New Guinea, The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, 1971, p. 88)
Carved in the round in a fluid and mysterious composition with long, attenuated torso, legs and arms, the rounded head with flat facial plane highlighted with pink and white pigments; the abdomen accentuated with an incised amoebic form with incised crescents accented with alternating pink and white pigments; alternating bands of orange and white pigments decorate the legs and arms; dark brown encrusted patina showing wear indicative of significant age and cultural use.
Additional information
Bid now on these items
