Description:

A Rare Mythological Snake/Crocodile Figure, Middle Sepik River Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea,
beautifully carved from a single piece of hardwood and decorated with cowrie shell eyes. It is unclear the exact mythology expressed in this rare artwork, Snakes as a creator being our part of some Sepik River groups mythologies. According to Borut Telban in "Dancing through time" 1998 Oxford" People say that the village has the shape of the huge snake which lies beneath it. This wakin (snake) is the essence of the village; it is its protector. The snake has to be firmly pressed down by all ancestral female spirits, who are represented on round masks on men's houses. This snake can ‘see' what the people do. Men refer to this snake only in the men's houses. Its real name means ‘strong' and it is the most awesome secret which is seldom whispered even in the men's house."

Provenance:
The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art

  • Dimensions: H 122 cm

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Shipping

All lots must be paid for and collected by 4pm AEST Monday 8 November. Unfortunately we cannot arrange shipping from this location, however we can arrange the goods to be removed to our rooms at the buyers expense.

9 August 2022 18:00 AEST
Stanmore, Australia

Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
A$0 A$49 A$5
A$50 A$99 A$10
A$100 A$299 A$20
A$300 A$499 A$25
A$500 A$999 A$50
A$1,000 A$1,999 A$100
A$2,000 A$4,999 A$200
A$5,000 A$9,999 A$500
A$10,000 A$19,999 A$1,000
A$20,000 A$49,999 A$2,000
A$50,000 A$99,999 A$5,000
A$100,000 A$199,999 A$10,000
A$200,000 A$499,999 A$20,000
A$500,000 + A$50,000