Lot #016

Karaut Figure, Abelam People, Middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

Unusually complex and pristine Karaut (Kara’ut) ornament from the Abelam people of New Guinea.

While the abstracted figure with elongated head and dangling legs are the basis of the form, the meticulous symmetry of the rendering and decoration sets this example apart from most.

Well-defined face and especially graceful transitions between the figure’s volumes.

Tightly-knotted bark twine, boar tusks, very small nasa shells and various natural pigments.

Presented on custom base.

CONDITION


Top left boar tusk is split lengthwise (pictured). The tusk below has a loss to the tip (pictured).

PROVENANCE


Morgan Oakes Gallery, San Francisco, CA
Private collection, Boston, MA

Dimensions

14″h (14.5″ on custom base)

Weight

1.1 lbs.

Estimate

$600-800

Starting bid

RESULT


$937.50

Question about lot #016

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