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artist
Spirit Board, Kópe , 19th–early 20th century
Wood, pigment
130 x 67 x 14 cm (51 3/16 x 26 3/8 x 5 1/2 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede in honor of Diane B. Wilsey and Harry S. Parker III 2007.44.8

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Collected by Thomas Schultze-Westrum in 1966." (Catalog #461, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 162.) EXHIBITIONS: 2005 - New Guinea Art. Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede. De Young Museum, San Francisco, 2005. 1972 - Olympic Village, Munich, 1972, "Weltkulturen und moderne Kunst." PUBLICATIONS: 2009 FAM Bulletin entry (unabridged) - "The face of the spirit figure represented on this kópe, or spirit board, is clearly discerned though elements of the body are highly stylized. Masterful relief carving and the use of negative and positive space accentuate its abdomen, navel, and other body parts arranged symmetrically around the vertical axis. Along the southern coast of New Guinea the expansive Fly River and other large rivers to the east and their deltas support a vast cultural area known as the Gulf of Papua. Communities are built along the waters edge and in the mangrove forests. Before widespread conversion to Christianity, monumental ceremonial men's houses were common. These impressive structures contained shrines for each clan containing masks, relics and ceremonial items including kópe boards used to bring success in head-hunting. Rituals and dance performances took place in and around the ceremonial houses. German scientist, Thomas Schultze-Westrum, visited the region several times while conducting biological and anthropological research. At the time of his first trip in 1959, he recounts that there were still numerous ceremonial houses in the Kerewo area. However, by 1966 only a few remained in the Urama district and none contained clan compartments containing skull trophies and ceremonial objects. The contents had been destroyed or moved to storage in family houses or sheds. This kópe was stored in an open shed and no longer used for ritual purposes when Schultze-Westrum purchased it from the owners. (1) Although collected from Kiwai language speakers at Epegau village in the Wapo River area, this kópe was made by a man called Apae in Otoia village on the Goarebari River opposite the mouth of the Omati River, the place of origin of the Kerewo (Kerewa). At a later time, it traveled eastward in the context of migrations, via O'a and Ani (the place of origin for the neighboring villages of Epegau and Tituhui), and finally reached Epegau village. (2) Its history is a testament to the antiquity of many kópe boards." FOOTNOTES (1) Thomas Schultze-Westrum, email communication, March 5, 2008. (2) Schultze-Westrum, Neuguinea. Papua - Urwelt im Aufbruch. (Berne: Kümmerly & Frey 1972), 207. 2005 - "Although collected at Epegau village, Wapo River area, this gope was said to have been made in Otoia village on the Omati River, the place of origin of the Kerewo (Kerewa), by a man called Apae. At a later time, it traveled eastward in the context of migrations, via O'a and Ani (the place of origin for the neighboring villages of Epegau and Tituhui), and finally reached Epegau. This story has not been verified, however. At the time of collecting, it was described as the oldest gope to be found in Epegau village and had apparently functioned as some sort of prototype for numerous others. The collector reported seeing many recent gope with comparable designs (Schultze-Westrum, 1972: 207). This exceptional gope shows some resemblance with one that was published as coming from the Wapo River, particularly with regard to the almost diamond-shaped design framing the face (see Bellier, 1974, cat. no. 21). Its design consists of two separate curved grooves, symmetrically placed along the vertical axis, in which the eyes are incorporated and highlighted by a two-pointed motif. For the function and meaning of gope, see pl. 458." (Catalog #461, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 162.) 1972 - Schneckenburger, 1972: 535 (in situ), 538, and no. 2048; Schultze-Westrum, 1972: 117, pl. 53 (detail, in situ), 207-8.

Related Keywords
K—pe Board III Parker S Harry Wilsey B Diane honor Gift 162 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 461 Catalog 1966 Westrum Schultze Thomas by Collected dialect Gope speakers language Kiwai northeastern village Epegau Oceania Province Gulf Guinea New Object Ritual pigment axis vertical symmetrically arranged parts other navel abdomen stylized highly body discerned clearly figure spirit face wood piece one Carved 0709200406050411 A360942 2007.44.8 AOA