Middle Sepik River Suspension Hook-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Tribal Art
In my essay on Authenticity in Oceanic Art I list the qualities essential in determining authenticity in Sepik suspension hooks such as this. First, is the piece carved from a dense hardwood meant to last generations in a tropical environment? Is the ancestral spirit portrayed alive--treated as a living being with pierced nose and ears and having an expression of vitality? Was the hook actually used as it was supposed to with clear signs of wear on the hooks at the base and on the lug at the back of the head? The present example is a strong sculpture with good expression satisfying all the essential criteria. It dates to the early 20th century, had nice remains of pigments, comes from a Beverly Hills estate, stands 30 3/8” (77.3 cm) in height and sells for $6500. Questions?