Food hook - Lot 70

Food hook Sepik, Papua New Guinea Wood, cowrie shells H. 81 cm Provenance : - Pierre Moos, Paris - Private collection Powerful sculpture of a standing male figure. The face is expressive, with prominent cheekbones and cowrie-encrusted eyes. The well-built shoulders are extended by long, wiry arms. Superb, deep scarification marks cover the shoulders, back and lower limbs. An attachment ring is carved on the back of the head. A beautiful patina attests to the object's age and use. According to Dirk Smidt (in Friede, 2005), this type of hook was hung from a cord or rattan braid in family or ceremonial homes. Food and ritual objects could be attached. "Each was given a name, received offerings of food and was supposed to have a positive effect on the food supply" (op.cit.). These objects served both as magical and physical protectors, as they also kept food out of the reach of vermin.