A rare carved head representing an ancestor. The elongated face is framed in the classical “Blackwater-heart“ with the eyes forming the lobes and the nose the point. A crocodile head is placed under the chin. The head has the remains of a strut issuing from the top. This appears to have been the lower finial from a large ceremonial hook. Reportedly collected at Milei Village in the Hunstein Hills but the style of the carving is definitely that of the greater Blackwater River Area. Blackwater River, Middle Sepik, PNG, Melanesia. Garamut wood (vitex cofassus) with erosions, wear and scorching. 60 x 13,5 x 9 cm. C-14 test 23.18.35 AMS ETH 33936 : 1685 to 1925 AD (93,1%). Collected in the field at Milei airstrip by Ed Boylan, The Paulien Society circa 1969/70.

Ref.: Meyer, Anthony JP: OCEANIC ART / OZEANISCHE KUNST / ART OCEANIEN. Könemann Verlag, Köln. 1995.