Papuan Gulf Spirit Board, Kwoi, Gaston de Havenon, New Guinea Art, Oceanic Art
Papuan Gulf Spirit Board, Kwoi
Purari Delta region, Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea
Gaston de Havenon Collection, New York
Pre-contact, stone-carved, 19th century
47 ¾” (121.2 cm) in height
There is a weight, scale, and presence to this spirit board that is undeniably ancient. The design is essentially symmetrical but swerves and undulates as is typical in pre-contact, stone-carved objects. Age, clarity, expression, bold graphics, and a distinguished provenance set this one at the very top of the category.
Published in "OCEANIC ART: PROVENANCE AND HISTORY" edited by Michael Hamson, pages 116/117, item 19.