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Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden figure of a crocodile’s head. The carving is detailed, with raised ridges along the long snout and incised lines along its sides, creating the illusion of textured skin. Crosshatched circles at the back of the head give further texture to the surface. In the traditional lifestyle practiced along the tributaries of the huge Sepik River, people live in matrilineal clans, which are called “ghu.” Each ghu has a set of totem animals and plants, with birds, fish, and other marine animals being the most important. This totemic carving of a crocodile would have been a treasured item to a kin group. Size: 16.5″ W x 7.75″ H (41.9 cm x 19.7 cm); 11.75″ H (29.8 cm) on included custom stand.
Condition: Loss to tip of lower jaw. Areas of wear and roughness on surface commensurate with age. Nicely preserved details.
Provenance: ex-private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection; ex-Ron Perry collection; Ron Perry collected art and artifacts for more than 40 years in New Guinea and the South Pacific. He collaborated with Carolyn Leigh to write a book entitled, “Art Dealer in the Last Unknown: Ron Perry & New Guinea Art: the early years 1964-1972” (2011)
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