Figure of a male Bioma ancestor

Reference : 2 19 6

Figure of a male Bioma ancestor

Carved wood. Ochre pigments, traces of lime
Restoration to right arm
Dimensions: Height: 26 cm
Presumed date: late 19th-early 20th century
Urama language group
Gulf of Papua
Papua New Guinea Provenance:
– Collected by Thomas Schultze Westrum in the village of Kinomere on the island of Urama in 1966.
– Thomas Schultze Westrum Collection G562 (label on back)
– The Jolika Collection by Marcia & John Friede.

Rye, New York

More details

As ancestor figures, Bioma were placed above crocodile and pig skulls, not far from the Gope planks, in the clan alcove of the men’s house.
According to T. Schultze Westrum, during his stay on the island of Urama, informants told him that the wood used to make Bioma was that used to build a new pirogue, and not that of the old boats.
This representation is distinguished by its small dimensions.

Price: €5,800

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