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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

47 - Pigment cup - Sepik River - Papua New Guinea Materials: Wood…
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Estimate €300 - €400
Sale commission
Description
Pigment cup - Sepik River - Papua New Guinea Materials: Wood with a worn patina. Provenance: 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. 10 cm. A beautiful ceremonial bowl carved from a single block of wood, resting on an arched base and featuring two stylised bird-headed ends. The sides are decorated with finely carved curvilinear motifs, enhanced by traces of red pigment, while a schematic central figure enlivens the composition. The interior shows significant signs of use, as well as a thick patina testifying to long use. Containers of this type were used in the Sepik region to hold and prepare various ritual substances, in particular pigments used during ceremonies, initiations or to decorate sacred objects. Representations of birds, common in Sepik art, refer to mythical ancestors and the spiritual powers associated with the natural world. The quality of the carving, the richness of the engraved decoration and the vestiges of polychromy give this bowl a remarkable presence. Its age-old wear and beautiful patina bear witness to the ritual life of the societies of the Middle Sepik.
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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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