A Superb Old New Guinea Ancestor Figure Murik Lakes Area East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

A Superb Old New Guinea Ancestor Figure Murik Lakes Area East Sepik Province Papua New Guinea

This beautiful female Ancestor Figure is from the Lower Sepik River area in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea. In the form of a younger woman in full health and with a warm happy smile on her face. Standing on a rounded base she is holding her hands to her chest just above her full breasts, she is wearing a grass skirt of a married woman and has a fine shell pendant made from ground conus shell. The whole figure is covered in red Sepik ochre and white lime to highlight her eyes and mouth.

In the Sepik area, each clan had carved figures which is associated with specific ancestors and totemic species. These ancestral and totemic beings are represented by wooden figures kept in the men’s ceremonial houses, these important ceremonial figures each had its own personal name.  Ancestor figures were an important part of a communities spiritual well-being, they offered protection from malevolent forces and help to ensure fertility for gardens growing large yams and taro.

This ancestor figure has been in my home for quite a while now & I never tire of looking at her because she has such brightness and warmth, an optimistic Sculpture

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Art and Oceanic Art 

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours. 

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.