20th C. Indonesian Malaku Islands Ancestral Marker

About Auction

Live

Clearance Pre-Columbian, Asian, Ethnographic

By Artemis Gallery

Sep 23, 2021

Set Reminder 2021-09-23 12:00:00 2021-09-23 12:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : Clearance Pre-Columbian, Asian, Ethnographic https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/clearance-pre-columbian-asian-ethnographic-7508
Consignor says sell! All lots priced to sell, with reserves now up to 75% off original starting prices. No hidden reserves. All lots will sell to the highest bidder. If you love Pre-Columbian, Asian or Ethnographic art this is one auction you don't want to miss. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com

View Full Catalog (145)

• Lot Description
  **Originally Listed At $1500**
  
  Southeast Asia, Indonesia, southeastern Malaku Islands (Moluccas / Spice Islands), ca. early 20th century CE. A massive carved wooden ancestral marker, made of two pieces - one, a long, canoe-shaped form with two projecting prow ends, each ornately carved with zoomorphic openwork - and the other a tall finial that branches into the form of a sea bird with its wings spread wide. Red and green pigment decorates much of the surface, especially of the finial, which is incised with swirling motifs. Size: 22.25" L x 44.5" W x 71.5" H (56.5 cm x 113 cm x 181.6 cm)
  
  The remote islands of southeastern Malaku remained largely uncontacted by Europeans until the 20th century, in contrast with northern Malaku, which was the ancestral home of cloves, nutmeg, and mace and was decimated by outsiders as they tried to control trade in these commodities. In the south, native people created beautiful artwork, often focusing on nautical iconography, like the canoe form here. Representations of deities and ancestors, designed to venerate them, formed the central focus of their artwork. The society is matrilineal with clans founded by women. Fascinatingly, sometimes sculptures of these clan leaders - often quite abstract - are shown with their arms spread out above their heads. The tripartite bird form at the top of this marker may be a deliberate representation of one of these figures.
  
  Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-P. Kessner collection
  
  All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
  
  A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
  
  PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.
  
  Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.
  
  #148501

  Condition

  Possible small loss from one side of the lower part. Weathered cracks in the wood, especially on the canoe, do not seem to impact the stability of the piece, which stands easily on its own. Tiny inactive insect damage in very limited areas.
• Shipping Info

  • All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.

• Buyer's Premium
  • 26.50 %