Papua New Guinea art objects and artifacts | Massim kula trading canoes
Figurative mast pulleys from Massim kula trading canoes are quite rare and the few that I have encountered are all 19th century examples—as is the present piece from the Charterhouse School Museum of London established in 1874. The mast pulley was amongst a group of objects thought to be donated by Lord Charles Hervey in 1880. The piece would have been lashed to the mast and the sail hoisted from a rope pulled through the bottom open section—thus the groove worn by the repeated pulling the rope. The figure is well carved with a clear, concise composition. The piece dates to the mid/late 19th century, is 11 5/8” (29.3 cm) in height and sells for $6500. Questions?