Yipwon Figure from Sepik, Papua New Guinea

A Yipwon figure, Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Sculpted from a…
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A Yipwon figure, Sepik, Papua New Guinea. Sculpted from a single piece of timber, representing a yipwon spirit whose function was to help and protect men during hunting. Simplified shape of a body with a head, a leg and a foot, incorporating a series of opposed hooks. The eyes are cowrie inlaid and a tassel ornament is attached to the nostrils. The chevron motifs refer to the crocodile ancestor. Painted in traditional colours: red, yellow, black and white. Considered as very powerful figures, they would be kept in men's ceremonial house and only accessible to initiated men. When the first examples of such figures reached Europe, they revolutionized the conception of the human form in artistic practices. Height 128 cm

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  • Chevron Motif - In jewellery, a chevron is a V-shaped pattern or design that is often used to create a bold and striking visual effect, and as a symbol of strength, power and protection.. It is a classic motif used in many different styles of jewellery and can be seen in various forms such as on a ring, earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. It can be created with precious or semi-precious stones, pearls, or enamel. It can be found in different forms such as engraved or inlaid or beaded.

    In ceramics the pattern is often used in decorative pottery and porcelain pieces, such as vases, bowls, plates and figurines. The chevron pattern can be created by using different colored glazes or by hand-painting the design onto the piece. It is also commonly found in the form of embossing or intaglio in decorative ceramic objects. This pattern can be seen as a popular design choice in Art Deco and Art Nouveau style of ceramics.

    This chevron pattern can also be found in many different types of furniture, such as tables, chairs, chests of drawers, and cabinets. A common place to find chevron pattern is in a herringbone pattern, which is made up of repeating V-shaped patterns. The chevron pattern can be created by using different types of wood, inlaying or by using different colors of stain. It is also commonly found in the form of a veneer. This pattern can be seen as a popular design choice in mid-century modern, Art Deco, and contemporary style furniture.

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