A rare West New Britain spirit board.

Availability: In Stock

A rare West New Britain spirit board.
Stock Number:
t4482
$ 3850.00

Description

A rare West New Britain spirit board. 
Carved in raised relief with a representation of a human-headed spirit and abstract totemic designs.
Decorated with red, blue, green white and black trade paint. Evidence of multi-layered pigments.
When a woman marries into a different clan and bears her first son, a carved board such as this is presented to the family of the husband. The son is then initiated into the protective care of both clans. In return for this board, the husband's family pays the wife's family about 200 strands of shell money. The board must be paid for prior to the son being initiated.

 

Origin:

Kombe linguistic area, West New Britain, Melanesia

Dimensions:

Length: 213 cm / Diameter: 23 cm

Due to the size or weight of this item, please contact us directly if you are interested in purchasing it.