Iatmul Suspension Hook-Middle Sepik River-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Here is a classic Iatmul culture figurative suspension hook from the Middle Sepik River of Papua New Guinea. The large ancestral spirit face has subtle volumes and a beautifully painted face design. The nose is long and connects to the junction of the hook. Notice the extensive wear at the base of the hook where the string bags filled with ritually-important objects would have been suspended. The piece comes from a Santa Barbara private collection, dates to the early 20th century, is 19” (48.3 cm) in height.