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THBPapua New Guinea Middle Sepik Region Crocodile Clan Carved Wood Ancestral Totem
About Seller
522 South Pineapple Avenue
Sarasota, FL 34236
United States
Sarasota Estate Auction specializes in a wide variety of furniture, antiques, fine art, lighting, sculptures, and collectibles. Andrew Ford, owner and operator of the company, has a passion for finding the best pieces of art and antiques and sharing those finds with the Gulf Coast of Florida.
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
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About Auction
LiveJan 19, 2025
Over 800 lots will be offered in day 2 of our 2 day weekend. There are multiple lots of important fine art from landscapes and etchings to old masters and portraits. We have a collection of sterling silver, African artifacts, oriental rugs, Asian antiquities, a collection from the Ex Managing Director of the NYC Waldorf Astoria, and more! Sarasota Estate Auction sarasotaestateauction@gmail.com
View Full Catalog (933)
- Lot Description
Papua New Guinea Middle Sepik Region Crocodile Clan Carved Wood Ancestral Totem. Ornate carvings throughout, paying homage to the reptile.
Condition: Small signs of damage to the wood.
Size: 40 1/2 x 3 x 3 in.
#7015 .
In the Middle Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea is a tribe whose cultural and ancestral identity has evolved around the freshwater crocodiles that live along the riverbed. Every two years families bring their boys to the central Yen Jen village for an initiation ritual that involves carving their flesh across the back, chest, legs, and arms in scale-like patterns using razor sharp bamboo. The open wounds are then treated with tree oil and clay and exposed to smoke from campfires so that keloid scar tissue is produced. It is unknown how old the scarification ritual is, but it reflects their connection to the land and the prehistoric beasts that their mythology says gave birth to their civilization many thousands of years ago. The spirit houses of the village are adorned with crocodile statues and totems made from wood, bamboo, and the real skins, teeth, and bones of the creatures. The works of the Crocodile Clan are particularly sought after by collectors, as they are one of the few groups in the Oceanic country that have almost completely avoided attempts by Christian, Islamic, and other religious forces to change their way of life, as well as modern political and military factions. This is partially due to the extreme remoteness of the particular area, which makes crafts taken from the region even more rare.
Condition
Small signs of damage to the wood.
- Shipping Info
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SHIPPING INFORMATION·
Sarasota Estate Auction IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SHIPPING! BUYER MUST ARRANGE SHIPPING. All shipping will be handled by the winning bidder. Sarasota Estate Auction recommends obtaining shipping quotes before bidding on any items in our auctions. To obtain a quote, please email info@premiershipment.com. Be sure to include the lot you are interested in and address you would like the quote for. Refunds are not offered under any circumstances base on shipping issues, this is up to the buyer to arrange this beforehand.
BIDDER MUST ARRANGE THEIR OWN SHIPPING. Although SEA will NOT arrange shipping for you, we do recommend our preferred shipper Premier Shipping & Crating at info@premiershipment.com You MUST email them, please DO NOT CALLl. If you'd like to compare shipping quotes or need more options, feel free to contact any local Sarasota shippers. You can email any one of the shippers below as well. Be sure to include the lot(s) you won and address you would like it shipped to. Brennan with The UPS Store #0089 - 941-413-5998 - Store0089@theupsstore.com AK with The UPS Store #2689 - 941-954-4575 - Store2689@theupsstore.com Steve with The UPS Store #4074 - 941-358-7022 - Store4074@theupsstore.com Everett with PakMail - 941-751-2070 - paktara266@gmail.com
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We accept all major credit cards, wire transfers, money orders, checks and PayPal. Please give us a call at (941) 359-8700 or email us at SarasotaEstateAuction@gmail.com to take care of your payments.
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- Size
40 1/2 x 3 x 3 in.
