POWERFUL NEW GUINEA ABELAM MALE ANCESTOR FIGURE

Origin:  New Guinea, N. of the Middle Sepik River, Foothills of the Prince Alexander Mountains, Abelam People    Provenance: Ex. collection of Dr. George Alan Solem (curator of invertebrates at the Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago)  Dr. Solem died in 1990.  For more information and a complete biography click here   It is believed that Dr. Solem likely acquired the figure in the late 1960's from Bud Holland in Chicago or J.J. Klejman in New York. 

Period/Date: circa 1930-40

Materials: Hardwood and natural earth pigments

Description:  This powerful ancestor figure "nggwandu" has bold pigments and prominent phallus with inward turned knees having a fluid undulating body.  Note how the legs are parted and carved free from trunk which is a characteristic of older figures.  It has the traditional stylized Cockatoo birds on the headdress with some loss to right side.   Its surface has layered encrusted pigments having a dry patina.  This figure originally had a thick layer of grayish brown "field dirt" which was professionally removed to reveal the original vibrant pigments underneath.  In good condition presented on a custom wood base.

Dimensions:   Height 25.5"  (65 cm), Width 4 1/8"  (10.5 cm)

Price: $3000       Currency Conversion    FREE SHIPPING With (Buy Now) Feature!