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58 - - Amulet - Ramu river - Papua New Guinea - France Provenance…
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Estimate €800 - €1,200
Sale commission
Description
- Amulet - Ramu river - 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. The work is recorded in a field notebook under reference A.97 (4), dated 1978, with the words: "Amulette, Sogeram, Madang". Materials: Wood Dimensions: H. 10 cm. This small anthropomorphic figure belongs to the tradition of protective amulets and sculptures from the Ramu region. The figure is depicted sitting or crouching, with its legs bent tightly under a compact body. The head, disproportionate to the rest of the body, has large circular eyes in relief and a long nose reaching down to the chest, creating an instantly recognisable silhouette. The top of the skull is topped by a small sculpted bun or appendage, while the slender arms follow the contours of the torso. This deliberate simplification of form, combined with an emphasis on facial features, is consistent with the aesthetic of many small magical figures from the Ramu Valley and neighbouring Sepik regions. These sculptures were generally kept as personal or family objects, invested with a protective function and linked to the world of ancestors and spirits. Their small size made them easy to transport and to integrate into daily or ritual life.
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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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