RARE EARLY-MID 20TH CENTURY PAPUA NEW GUINEA, EAST SEPIK RIVER BASIN VINTAGE. HAND CARVED, HAND PAINTED W/WHITE.
PAINT WOODEN DEITY TOTEM STANDING. Papua New Guinea, East Sepik River Basin tribal/folk art hand carved/painted wooden figurative sculpture. 12 1/2" Height x 5" Width x 2 1/2 Depth. This rare, and very scarce, nearly unblemished authentic, original vintage period early to mid-20th century Papua New Guinea, East Sepik River Basin Oceanic/Pacific Islander, indigenous tribal/folk art, hand carved and white slip paint decorated tribal deity with head dress perched and standing on a carved wood plinth block, is entirely realized from what appears to be tropical teak hardwood, fashioned from a single piece of wood.
It's in 100% original vintage condition and hasn't been dusted, rinsed, oiled or otherwise tampered with. It still maintains is original, naturally aged wood patina and dry, matte wood finish. The white slip decorative paint, used to bring out carved details of the wooden figure, is by and large also unblemished and doesn't suffer any appreciative loss or diminishment of its original application. The teak wooden figure only understandably over the course of time and due to environmental conditions, has a natural wood drying fissure or slight fracture running over the middle of the head dress onto the face and down the center of the figure.It's there but barely noticeable. As far as any'damage' to the hand carved wooden totem of a deity, this would be it. The tips of all carved appendages, ears, shoulders, arms and chin are all without damage, flea-bites or repairs old or new.
It stands fairly surely and sturdily upon its attached, hand carved teak wooden plinth block. An extraordinary figure realized by the East Sepik River people of the long river basin that traverses the Pacific island of Papua New Guinea. Just a marvelous, absolutely untouched vintage piece of indigenous Oceanic folk/tribal art that won't quit on you and won't disappoint. It has tremendous spiritual as well as figurative physical presence, with wonderful artistic plasticity and the maker's fingerprints and life force still infused in the carving and paint decoration. You don't have to collect or to even personally like or gravitate toward this Oceanic folk art of the Pacific Island people to witness and quickly understand its sheer power and appeal.Good to Very Good overall vintage condition. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Cultures & Ethnicities\Pacific Islands". The seller is "modsanctuary" and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.