Large garra hooked figure

Reference : 2133

Large garra hooked figure

Carved wood
Dimensions: Height: 1.28m
Presumed date of origin: 1st half of the 20th century
Hunstein Mountains
Bahinemo population
Papua New Guinea

Provenance:
– Wolfs Gallery, Cleveland
– Collection Ann & Norman Roulet, Cleveland
– Gray’s Auctioneers, Cleveland, USA. November 6, 2014, lot 67
– Private collection Chicago, USA
– Michael Hamson , Palos Verde, USA (MHF-347)
– Private collection, Canada

More details

Garra(ge’rä) is the word used by the Bahinemo people. These hooked figures were hung in men’s houses along with other objects of worship. During initiation ceremonies, they were held between the dancer’s legs.

According to Douglas ^Newton1 “the garra are identified both with the spirits of the bush and with the elderly men of the clan, the only ones authorized to consume the flesh of the hornbills – symbolized by the hooks – that nest in the places where the spirits live. “Our hook is distinguished by its large dimensions and perfect state of preservation.
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1- Newton. 1971, p.20

Price: €22,500

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