Fine old Asmat figure, Irian Jaya.
Sir Raffles Art & History is Charles Mandel’s collection of antique Santos and ethnographic collectibles, mostly carved wood. See current selection on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/SirRafflesArtHistory
Description
This is a very good quality OLD Asmat carving. If you collect Asmat art you know that, due to environmental conditions, it is rare to find old pieces. I would place this from the 1960’s, which in Asmat art terms is quite old. 29″ tall, mangrove wood. The base is sandstone. The Asmat are in Irian Jaya and were considered absolutely fierce warriors, headhunters, and cannibals. Their name for the nearest tribe, for example, was “Dani”, which loosely translates into “the tasty ones”. This carving is from the era when that way of life was still very active.
Condition: Please review the photos carefully. PLEASE NOTE: Solid shape and the base is sandstone.
Whatever the culture, there can be no more important art than that used as an aid for communicating with the divine. I have always found devotional artifacts fascinating to collect; there is no better way to connect with a past culture than through the objects that were important to it. Collecting religious figures is particularly gratifying. The subject, the style and the methods of production combine to tell the tale of what the individuals in that culture valued.
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I have been collecting artifacts and religious objects for many years, specializing in Asian and European vintage carvings. Don’t hesitate to ask about other stock that I might have that is not listed here.
Website: http://sirraffles.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SirRafflesArt
Materials: wood,polychrome
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