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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

20 - Pirogue breakwater - Massim - Trobriand Islands - Papua New …
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Estimate €200 - €400
Sale commission
Description
Pirogue breakwater - Massim - Trobriand Islands - Papua New Guinea - France Provenance: Former Guy Seghers collection (Belgium). Collected in Papua New Guinea between 1970 and 1980 during scientific missions linked to the Leopold III Biological Station on Laing Island. Archives and period photographs preserved. Dimensions: H. 99 cm - Materials: Wood Elegant pirogue breakwater with a wide upper section cut into a symmetrical double scroll, decorated with concentric motifs and finely engraved stylised rosettes. The composition is organised around a central axis marked by geometric decoration in slight relief, while a succession of curved lines emphasises the harmonious movement of the whole. The tapering lower section was intended to be attached to the bow of the boat. The quality of the design, the rigour of the symmetry and the decorative vocabulary bring this piece into line with ceremonial pirogue ornaments produced in the Trobriand archipelago and more widely in the Massim cultural area, famous for its rich maritime traditions. In this region, the large boats used for inter-island expeditions, particularly as part of the ceremonial exchanges of the Kula, were fitted with sculpted elements whose function went far beyond the merely utilitarian. These ornaments were veritable markers of prestige, demonstrating the status of the owner and contributing to the symbolic identity of the craft. This example is striking for the purity of its silhouette, the subtlety of its engraved decoration and the remarkable balance of its proportions. The old patina and traces of use give the piece an authentic presence, while the sobriety of the ornamentation emphasises the graphic strength of the Massim aesthetic. With its formal elegance and quality of execution, this breakwater is a fine example of the maritime sculptural traditions of the Trobriand Islands.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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