PAPUAN GULF

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

PAPUAN GULF FIGURES, Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

a)   39 x 6 x 6cm      $ 2,500      

b)    36 x 5.5 x 1cm    $ 1,400

b)        Figure, Turama River, western Papuan Gulf.  These 3-dimensional formal figures of Turama River are in contrast to the figurative forms, twisted and undulating of the more eastern Papuan Gulf, carved from mangrove root. It features the typical facial motifs to the greater Papuan Gulf character, but the body is tubular, the head blockish, two legs that show knees but no feet and, on this example, the arms are carved into the torso. Geometric chevron motifs decorate the body. A similar, larger figure is held in the Musee du Quai Branly collection in Paris (Inv 4202), published in “Shadows of New Guinea” Musee Barbier-Mueller, Somogy 2006. pp

c)        Bullroarer, Era River, Papuan Gulf. Papua New Guinea

Bullroarers, known as kaiafmumu, are a sacred sound producing instrument used during important male rituals. A rope at the end allows the bullroarer to be swung very fast above the head, producing a load oscillating “roaring: sound – hence its name.

The sound of the bullroarer is said to be the voice of the spirits.

This bullroarer’s upper section is covered in fine triangular engraved motifs. Below is an abstract face with nose and, unusually, a “neck” is suggested by the narrowing below the face. More engraved design continues below the face, and all the fine engraving is highlighted with lime against the dark black palm wood.

$2,500.00

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