RARE NEW GUINEA ABELAM YAM STICKING STICK FRAGMENT
RARE NEW GUINEA ABELAM YAM STICKING STICK FRAGMENT
Origin: New Guinea, Abelam people, East Sepik Province (Prince Alexander Mountains)
Provenance: Ex. Butterfield & Butterfield 1999-2000. Deaccessioned by the Denver Art Museum. Ex. Collection Mr. & Mrs. George Anderman. Field collected by geologist George Anderman in the 1970’s.
Period/Date: At least mid 20th century, possibly older
Materials: Heavy dense Palm wood
Description: This is the top portion from a 9 foot digging implement. Few of these are around or seen for sale. This example is well-used and has a semi-encrusted, weathered and eroded surface. Imagine it being used daily during harvest time and boldly decorated with pigments from the beginning ceremonies of the harvest season. The ancestor figure is smiling with hands on the abdomen surmounted by two stylized Cockatoo birds. Its body is curvaceous and almost 3 dimensional. In good condition and of sound structure. A pierced hole near the top.
Dimensions: 40.5” ( 103 cm), width 5.5” (14 cm)