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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

45 - Drum - Astrolabe Bay region - Papua New Guinea Provenance: F…
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Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
Drum - Astrolabe Bay region - Papua New Guinea 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. 78 cm - Materials: Wood A large elongated slit drum with an elegantly tapered shape and carved decoration typical of the products of the north-east coast of Papua New Guinea. The sound box, carved from a single piece of wood, is decorated on its main surface with a rich programme of ornamentation combining stylised anthropomorphic figures, incised geometric motifs and finely engraved decorative registers. A perforated side handle was used to grip the instrument when travelling or during ceremonies. Drums from the Astrolabe Bay region played an essential role in social and ritual life. Used to transmit messages, accompany dances, set the rhythm for initiation ceremonies or mark major community events, they were also invested with a strong symbolic dimension. The sculpted figures that adorn them frequently evoke the ancestors, protective spirits or founding myths of the groups that used them. This piece is striking for the balance of its proportions, the quality of its carving and the depth of its antique patina. The reliefs, softened by time and use, are still highly legible and bear witness to the care taken in their execution. The presence of anthropomorphic motifs combined with elaborate geometric decoration reinforces the ceremonial nature of the object and its aesthetic interest.
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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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