Sago Platter

Mimika, West Papua
Early 20th Century
Previous Collection: Leo and Lillian Fortess acquired in 1984

This rare Sago platter from the Mimika region of west New Guinea is an extremely surreal and inventive work. The outside of the plate has an incredible design reminiscent of a spider web but is in fact stylized ancestors. On the sides are four lugs for attachment; the top being the head and torso of an ancestor and the bottom are its legs. Carved from hardwood with a fine aged patina, it still retains it's original white lime pigment on the outside of the platter.

The Height is 26.75 inches.

SOLD / IN 4-15-10