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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

40 - - Paddle - Ramu River - Papua New Guinea - 209 cm Provenance…
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Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
- Paddle - Ramu River - Papua New Guinea - 209 cm 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: 209 cm A large navigation paddle with an elongated lance-shaped blade, highlighted by a slight axial relief and vestiges of red pigmentation. The shaft ends in an anthropo-zoomorphic head sculpted in the round, with stylised features and an open mouth, probably evoking a protective spirit or an ancestor linked to the boat. Although intended for actual use, this oar bears witness to the aesthetic care given to everyday objects in Papua. The traces of red paint, now largely faded, are a reminder of the symbolic importance of this colour in many Melanesian societies, where it is associated with vitality, strength and ancestral powers. The sobriety of the decoration, limited to the carving on the pommel and a few coloured accents on the blade, suggests a prestigious utilitarian piece rather than a strictly ceremonial paddle. The shapes of the terminal face are reminiscent of those produced in the river regions of the Sepik or northern coastal areas, where boats were a central element of social and economic life. A fine old example with a homogeneous patina of use, with wear and erosion of the pigments in keeping with its age.
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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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