#5  

19TH C. NATURAL ROOT FIJIAN "ULA" W/ HUMAN FACE

Origin: W. Polynesia, Fiji   (Provenance: Ex. Casey and Laurie Conway Collection, Kingman Arizona.  Ex. Matthew Hickey Ethnographic Art Pennsylvania)

Period/Date: Likely first quarter of the 19th Century

Materials:  root of a shrub

Description:  The artist of this unique "Ula-kobo" skillfully fashioned it just enough to produce a stylized human face out of the natural root.  This should be evident in the photos with the sunken eyes, brow ridge, wide nose, horizontal mouth and square jaw line.  It has a very elegant curvature and thin dainty handle with 4.5 inches of incised tavatava.  It was likely employed for hunting birds and flying fox.  The overall crook in the top of the shaft would have created more striking surface area for successfully knocking down small animals.  It exhibits a warm rich patina turning to red and is presented on a custom display stand.  This specimen has steadily grown to become my favorite one in the group.  It is completely distinctive and charming.

Dimensions:   Height 15.75"  (40 cm), Width 3"  (7.5 cm)

Price:   SOLD

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