AN ABELAM FEMALE ANCESTOR FIGURE
210
Artefacts (Oceanic)
Nelikum Village, Maprik Area, EastSepik Province, Papua New Guinea
AN ABELAM FEMALE ANCESTOR FIGURE
natural earth pigments on carved and shaped hardwood, with human hair, string and cowrie shell decoration
139.0 cm height
Estimate:
$1,400-1,800
Provenance
Acquired at Nelikum Village, 1980s
Private collection, Melbourne
Known as a ‘Yuwibasari' this figure is said to represent women and their contribution towards the Yam planting and harvesting.