SUPERB C. 1900 New Guinea Murik Lakes Ancestral Suspension Hook Figure!
SUPERB C. 1900 New Guinea Murik Lakes Ancestral Suspension Hook Figure!
Origin: New Guinea, Lower Sepik River, Murik Lakes (Provenance: Ex. Nicolai Michoutouchkine Collection, Previously in a private Collection in Sunnyside New York)
Period/Date: Circa 1900-1915
Materials: Hardwood
Description: Here's a wonderful quality classic food suspension hook (presented on a custom wood base). The male ancestor figure is fantastic. In person the piece has "amazing volume", generated by the large mask-like head, broad shoulders, and wide base. This would have literally been the most important object in a family or community house because of its function. A robust ancestor figure guarding the food supply. It is old enough to be stone-carved but isn't since metal was traded on the coastal region very early on by explorers. The large pierced lug on the top of the head is well patinated and is a stylized fish or lizard. A thick fiber cord suspended it high in the rafters away from rats. Net bags filled with fruit and yams hung from the stout riser posts. His head is large in volume (47 percent of the body) and has an intense stoic expression combined with subdued serenity. His shoulders are massive and wide as the base. The backside is equally impressive. Between the shoulders is a zoomorphic carved figure. Noteworthy exaggerated and round butt. The adze cut base has a lovely convex shape. There are two sets to different source collection numbers. The bottom one in black ink is crossed out for some reason. According to Harry Beran The top collection number in white paint appears to closely correspond with similar in the Nicolai Michoutouchkine Collection. In has acquired a dry and varied patina from long use.
Dimensions: Height 21.75” (55 cm), width 6.25” (16 cm)
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