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Harpoon float, 19th–early 20th century
Wood, pigment, porcelain inlay
6.4 x 24.1 x 16.5 cm (2 1/2 x 9 1/2 x 6 1/2 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.200

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Marcia and Irwin Hersey Collection, New York." (Catalog #547, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 181.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "The idea of porcelain chip inlays, often from old Chinese blue and white vessels, was probably imported from the Moluccas to the west of New Guinea. Moluccas shields are embellished with these clips. Mother-of-pearl shell may also be used for inlay, perhaps for aesthetic but certainly for practical reasons: the shimmering in the water caused by the reflection of the sun would allow the fishermen to know the approximate position of the prey (Hendrik Wamea, personal communication to Dirk Smidt). For different ways of rendering a bird figure in a harpoon float, see de Clercq, 1983, pl. xxxvi, fig. 10; and Wirz, 1928: 358, figs. 5 and 6. In one of these cases the bird appears to be floating on the water rather than flying, as in the present example." (Catalog #547, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 181.)

Related Keywords
float Harpoon Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 181 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Jolika Masterpieces Art Guinea 547 Catalog York New Hersey Irwin Marcia recorded people culture Oceania Papua West Indonesia Implement Tool inlay porcelain pigment Wood 0709200406050273 A361115 L05.1.200 AOA