ARCHITECTURAL ELEMENT
Aitape Village, North Coast, Sandaun Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia
H. 109 cm
Wood
Provenance: former Jolika collection of Marcia and John Friede, Rye, New York, U.S.A.
Publication: Carlier, J-E., Du lac Sentani au village d’Aitape, Paris, Galerie Voyageurs & Curieux, 2022, p. 48 to 51
This ancient zoomorphic sculpture is probably intended to be installed in one of the richly decorated ceremonial houses that existed in the area of Aitape village. It’s probably tied to a beam or a support post. There are figures of animals or mythological creatures. On either side of the body, in the center, on all fours, are two animal heads.
Photos © Hughes Dubois
English (United States) 
French