A Fine Old New Guinea Spirit Figure Papuan Gulf Area Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old New Guinea Spirit Figure Papuan Gulf Area Papua New Guinea

This fine old spirit figure is from the Wapo Creek Area in the Papuan Gulf on the south coast of Papua New Guinea. In the form of a dancing ancestor figure with shortened arms. This figure has an old patina from handling meaning it was likely used as a personal amulet figure for magic such as success in hunting, controlling the weather, or protection from malevolent spirits.  It comes on a custom-made stand that lets the figure dance as without the stand the figure can’t stand up independently.

Provenance:  Collected by the crocodile hunter George Craig in the late 1960s.   

The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

References: Coaxing the Spirits to Dance: Art & Society in the Papuan Gulf of New Guinea 2006 Hood Museum of Art Dartmouth College in New Hampshire USA .

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