Murik Lakes Standing Male Figure, 19th Century Papua New Guinea

A Superb Standing Male Figure, Murik Lakes, Lower Sepik River, Papua New Guinea, (nineteenth century), carved hardwood and natural earth pigments (remnant), 30.5 cm high. Provenance: Wayne Heathcote, Sydney. Acquired from above by Dr Peter Elliott, in the 1960s. For a related example see: African and Oceanic Art, Sotheby's, New York, 25 May 1999, lot 145 (illus.). The present figure is one of the finest examples remaining in private hands of this form of Murik Lakes figure from the Lower Sepik province dating to the nineteenth century. The back of the present figure is particularly dynamic, with a sophisticated bird form masterfully carved enveloping the head which plays upon the tension between animal and human; physical and spiritual (the core elements of Sepik religious beliefs). The sinuous lines converge towards the top of the head and the bird's beak superbly forms the hook used for suspension purposes. The power of this particular figure is accentuated through the strong poise and stern facial expression. Of particular note are the softened markings formed by the stone tooling, with which the present figure was carved. The figure retains subtle shades of an ancient red ochred and early patina. D'lan Davidson