People: Lower Sepik River
Papua New Guinea
H: 24"
Stone carved; the figure with cock's-comb coif atop an ovoid head with high pointed brow, deeply inset eyes and long nose. The mouth set around the chin in a narrow arc. The shoulders broad and powerful with arms akimbo, the hands meeting the body at the waist. Legs well carved indicating musculature, insect depredations to the calves, feet deficient. Encrusted and mottled variegated patina. Very fine and rare example. On a custom base.
Provenance: Collected in or prior to 1912; A private German collection prior to WWI; A private NY collection.