The art of the Massim territory, on the southeastern tip of New Guinea, is characterised by very beautiful, complex and compact pattern of volutes and spirals. An example of this is the present bow of a commercial boat suitable for high seas, from the Massim area: made of a single piece of wood and decorated on both sides with partly openwork relief. The carefully carved relief displays on each side at least six (or more) intersecting frigatebirds and birds’ heads!
A very old piece with matching patina and only minor age damage (small pieces broken off on the front, on the back and at the bottom). An object of rare quality! 19th century, c. 1890 (after 1864 until 1900). H: 24 cm, L: 55 cm, 1 cm to 4 cm thick. (ME)

Provenance: According to the written information provided by the previous owner, this piece comes from his great-grandfather’s collection (the relative documentation from the correspondence is available). From the documentation: ‘... My great-great-grandfather Alfred, a member of the French merchant navy, went to Australia in 1864...
The male members of the family were subsequently active in the Australian navy...’ The objects from the early collections remained within the family through inheritance. Currently in a German private collection.

Lit.: ‘Art Papou’, Musée de Marseilles (catalogue), ill. 120, 121.