IMPORTANT MUSEUM QUALITY PRE-CONTACT LAKE SENTANI CEREMONIAL LIME GOURD & STICK
Origin: Northwest
Period/Date: 19th century
Materials: Natural gourd, rattan, hardwood, lime, bush string, trade beads
Description: This magnificent ensemble has been in my collection for 5 years. Perhaps one of you will find it as compelling to own as I did. This is not a small scale example made during the revival period (post 1940s). The figural male lime stick and the gourd are both original and of the same period and manufacture. It is almost inconceivable that the fragile gourd would have survived, except for the fact that it had beautiful woven rattan as a reinforcement around its body. In my judgment because of its overall sale and quality, this belonged to an important individual within the village like a chief or wealthy elder. The slender lime stick is obviously stone-carved as seen from the photos and has acquired a layered, encrusted and complex patina from years of use. The bottom of the gourd has an amazing spider-web like rattan covering. This is a better and more complete example than I've seen in any book or museum collection so far. Some would call it a "masterwork" from this culture. Condition is superb except for some stable hairline cracks toward the bottom of the gourd. Presented in tandem on a custom wood base.
Dimensions: (Lime stick) Height 22.5" (57 cm), Width 1.25" (3.1 cm), (Gourd) Height 17" (43.5 cm), Width 7" (18 cm)
Price: $16,000
Gourd decorated with scorched faces
Stylized human figures surrounding the rim
