Important C. 1900 New Guinea Blackwater River Ceremonial Lime Gourd
Important C. 1900 New Guinea Blackwater River Ceremonial Lime Gourd
Origin: New Guinea, E. Sepik Province, Middle Sepik River, Blackwater River tributary (Provenance: Collected in the 1960's in Yemunbet Village, Ex. collection of Fred Gerrils Ex. collection of Thomas Nielsen CA. Ex. Chris Boylan Sydney)
Period/Date: Early 20th Century, Trade Beads are 19th century (c. 1880-1900)
Materials: Gourd, lime, Cassowary bone, plated fiber, nassa shell, German trade beads.
Description: This large and impressive ceremonial lime gourd was used for betel nut chewing. It is important for its age, quality, large scale, graphic intensity and having its original lavishly adorned Cassowary bone lime stick! Presented on a custom metal display base with original old paper label attached. Describing it from the top down, Its superb lime stick has an archaic bird head with attached knotted fiber dangles with nassa shell and 19th century German trade beads. The beads and shell wealth decoration is very prestigious, so it was surely owned by someone of high status or rank. The upper neck of the gourd has incising of three frog-like figures and curiousOwl-like faces. Its main body features bold stylized freshwater crayfish and ancestor clan faces. Condition is superb and so is its color and patina from long ritual use.
Dimensions: Height 29” (73.5 cm), width 3.75” (9.5 cm)