Yipwon hooked figure - Lot 78

Yipwon hooked figure Korewori River, Papua New Guinea Eroded wood H. 200 cm Provenance - Galerie Merrin, New York - Californian artist Tony Berlant, acquired from the previous owner in the 1980s - Michael Hamson - Private collection, acquired from previous owner in 2022. Of exceptional dimensions, this hooked figure represents an anthropomorphic figure whose highly refined body is sculpted to be seen in profile. The features are dynamic, the volumes perfectly balanced. Almost certainly made with traditional tools, it probably dates from the 19th century. Carved from a very hard wood, the yipwon is probably eroded by a long stay in cliffside caves. The emaciated body is very dynamic, curved and taut. The spine is wide, decorated with interlocking eroded hooks. This broad spine and hook construction can be found on the most archaic yipwons in the corpus. The highly stylized head is slightly tilted, with the chin projected forward, accentuating the expression of threat and power of this spirit dedicated to hunting and war. Remarkably sculpted, this work stands out both for its great age and for its magnificently orchestrated degree of abstraction.