Lake Sentani Suspension Hook-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
I remember originally buying this piece over 15 years from an old man living in a retirement community in Southern California. He had been a soldier in WWII stationed at Lake Sentani. Unlike the few other servicemen who bought artifacts this guy took the time and effort to collect some older beautiful things. His name was Gene Gach, a shorter man brimming with confidence. When I asked how to spell his last name he replied “G as in gorgeous, A as in amazing, C as in charming and H as in handsome…” Well, it is nice to have this piece back in my hands. It is a wonderful suspension hook with deeply carved curvilinear design and a great aged dark brown patina. It dates to the early 20th century or before, is 14 ½” (36.9 cm) in height.