Early Papua Korwar Ancestor Figure, Early 19th Century, Deep Black Brown Patina
Amsterdam, Netherlands
£80,737 per item
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Item details
Height
24.0 cm
Width
18.0 cm
Depth
18.0 cm
Diameter
18.0 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
An extremely rare Papua wood sculpture of a Korwar
Papua New Guinea, Cendrawasih Bay, Wandammen, early 19th century
Measures: Height 24 x Diameter 18 cm
Finely carved in the early style, the figure seated on a circular base, with elongated head, detailed facial expression with blackened eyebrows, lashes, mustache and teeth, the ears and forehead pierced, all areas facing upwards with a deep black-brown patina of usage and insect droppings.
With a hand-written label to the bottom stating Korwar Patoeng Nenek- Mojang Orang Papua. Inscribed Biak Papua on the forehead and indistinctly inscribed in French on the back of the head.
This rare type of Korwar belongs to the earliest pieces known to exist, as stated in Dr. Oskar Nuoffer, Ahnenfiguren von der Geelvinkbai, Hollandisch Neuguinea, Leipzig 1908 (ill. 5 & 6) and in De Clercq & Schmeltz, Etnographische beschrijving van de west en noordkust van Nederlands New Guinea, 1893 (ill. 1 & 7).
For a comparable Korwar probably by the same carver, from the collection of the Museum of World Cultures in Rotterdam, see: R. Corbey, Northwest New Guinea Ritual Art according to missionary sources, Leiden 2019 (ill. 122). For further reading and more comparable Korwar, see beforementioned book pp. 148-155 and Van Baaren, Korwars and korwarstyle, 1968 (ill. 32, 33 & 48).
The patina and smooth surface of the Korwar as a result of handling over a long period of time acknowledges the fact that this Korwar dates from the early 19th century.
Most Korwar figures were made for the families of sick or deceased males, and occasionally females, during illness or immediately following their death. During the carving, chants were sung to assure that the spirit power of the ancestor would enter into the figure. The figures then served as intermediaries between the living and the dead. Their advice was sought through the actions of a shaman who went into a trance and was then able to pass on the words of the spirit to the living descendants.
Provenance: by repute bought by a pioneer of Royal Dutch Shell (Multinational Oil and Gas Company) in a shop in Jakarta in the early 20th century, who later lived in a stately home along the river Vecht, thence by descent.
We are grateful to Mr. Peter van Drumpt for is assistance in writing this catalogue entry.
Condition report:
Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
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Free collection available
Yes
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Last updated: 24th March 2025
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