The Kukukuku (also called Angu or Änga) live in the mountainous hinterland of the province of Morobe, on the northeastern coast of the island of New Guinea (see also cat. no. 271). All three pieces of this mixed lot originate from the Kukukuku: 1: A pectoral ornament, consisting of two boar’s tusks, fastened by dense, brown wickerwork made of twisted fibre cords, as well as with a carrying strap made of similar fibre cords. Height: 11 cm; width: 13.5 cm (pectoral ornament without carrying strap). 2: A sago scraper, crafted from the thigh bone of a cassowary bird. Sago flour is obtained from pulp of the sago palm and is the basic aliment of the people of New Guinea. The palms are felled and divided in half lengthwise. With scrapers such as these, the pulp is scratched out of the tree trunks and further processed into sago flour. The present sago scraper displays a very good, old, shiny usage patina. The small, drilled hole under the joint of the bone is newer and originates from the current owner for the presentation of the object on the wall of his residence. Length: 26.8 cm. 3: A traditional penis sheath of the Kukukuku men, called ‘Koteka’. Made of thin rattan strips held together by woven plant fibre strings, adorned with three rows of smaller, white snail shells that were pressed in clay, as well as dyed with red, black and white earth colours. Height: 20 cm (with upper projection); diameter: 8 cm to 9 cm (below). First half to mid-20th century. (ME) ASA

Provenance:
Private collection of an Austrian traveller.