Sepik Suspension Hook | Parke-Bernet Auction, New York, 22 April 1965
Sepik Suspension Hook
Parke-Bernet Auction, New York
22 April 1965
Well, I was one years old when this object came up at auction so I don’t hold myself too responsible for not buying it. The piece was accurately described as a Sepik River suspension hook and no wonder as the catalog descriptions were provided by Douglas Newton. There is no provenance given. But by God what a wonderful object. It is hard to say for sure based on this photograph but the piece looks pre-contact in style. There is a wonderfully alive expression with the deeply recessed eyes dark and penetrating. The nose is naturalistic but has a thin projection connecting below the chin to the body of the hook. The mouth is closed but with a large disarming smile. The facial paint is still strong and delicately done. Of course, the ears are pierced and assuredly the nose is as well.
I love the slight tilt of the head and the small undulation of the right upward pointing hook—both subtle characteristics that confirm it as a very early Sepik object. That the body consists of a simple elongated wedge-shape only serves to focus one’s attention on the face and that long quirky hook.
A lovely, elegant, old and charming piece of New Guinea sculpture.
This suspension hook sold for $475 back in 1965 which in today’s dollars equates to $3966—a BARGAIN!
