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THBEarly 20th C. Asmat Skull w/ Shells & Boar Tusk
Lot 61w
About Seller
Artemis Gallery
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$4,000 - $6,000
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Gallery
Oct 3, 2019
Set Reminder
2019-10-03 10:00:00
2019-10-03 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Exceptional Day 2: Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/exceptional-day-2-pre-columbian-tribal-art-4453
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Pre-Columbian from the ancient Americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial and fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
Day 2 of an important 2-day auction featuring exceptional, museum-worthy examples of Pre-Columbian from the ancient Americas, Native American, African / Tribal, Oceanic, Spanish Colonial and fossils. Artemis Gallery info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (300)
- Lot Description
Southeast Asia, Indonesia, western Irian Jaya / West Papua, Asmat people, ca. early 20th century CE. A human skull decorated with earthen material and cowrie snail shells on the head, mollusk shells within the eye sockets, and a lengthy boar tusk projecting from the nose. The original mandible is missing, however four upper teeth still remain. Dozens of petite shells form a wondrous coiffure atop the rounded skull, and rich brown patina has formed from age and handling. A superb example of macabre artistry from the Asmat! Size: 7.75" L x 5.625" W x 7" H (19.7 cm x 14.3 cm x 17.8 cm).
The Asmat people of Papua lived a traditional lifestyle until the 1950s, although the Dutchman Jan Cartensz (1623) and the expedition of Captain Cook (1770) had very limited contact with them. Their reputation as headhunters and cannibals kept outsiders away from their land. Traditionally, the Asmat venerated their ancestors through art, including by turning their skulls into dramatically ornamented sculptures. They blocked the nasal passages and the eyes, as here, in order to prevent the invasion of evil spirits. They displayed skulls like this one in small shrines within their homes.
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA
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.
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#149667Original mandible and many original teeth missing. Possible repairs to cheek bones and eye sockets, though nearly invisible and unobtrusive to the presentation. Minor abrasions and nicks to teeth, tusk, and some shells. Nice earthen deposits and great patina throughout.Condition
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