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Ceremonial house finial figure, C-14 dating: 1660–1890 (95.4% probability)
Wood, pigment
106 x 27 x 30 cm (41 3/4 x 10 5/8 x 11 13/16 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede 2006.73.1

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Savage Club Collection, Melbourne. The figure was located over the bar and about thirty years ago was sold to pay for roof repairs." (Catalog #140, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 104.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "These figures were finials near the tope of Biwat ceremonial house facades. They were protected by a sago or basketry "awning." As a result, only the back became heavily weathered. Another superb finial figure is in the University of Cambridge, Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology. England, collected by Gregory Bateson in 1930. See Schmitz, 1971, pl. 93. Most other published examples are much more recent." (Catalog #140, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 104.)

Related Keywords
finial house Ceremonial Gift 104 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 140 Catalog repairs roof pay sold ago years thirty bar over located figure Melbourne Club Savage people Biwat Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Papua Melanesia Architectural pigment applied wood piece one Carved 0709200406050478 A360981 2006.73.1 AOA