Figure of male ancestor spirit "blaal"
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Lot: 29
84th Tribal Art AuctionFigure of male ancestor spirit "blaal"
Papua New Guinea - Sepik
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
Patti Cadby Birch, NewYork, USA | H: 16.1 inch |
5000 EUR
plus 23 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance |
wood, matt brown patina, pierced septum, short free carved arms, legs without feet rising from a small vaulted base, slightly dam., insect caused missing parts backside, base;
according to O. Reche the ancestor figures originally were advancements or supplements of the real ancestor skulls. The idea was, that not only a natural head but a whole body should be offered as abode to the soul of the deceased. According to Reche it can be assumed, that the original form of an ancestor figure consisted of a natural human skull and a wooden trunk. But this was only a transitional stage and finally was detached by such wooden whole-figure-statuettes.