Papuan Gulf Spirit Board 7
Keywords
Gope Board , Spirit Boards , Papua New Guinea , Daniel Munzert , James Wasserstrom
Abstract
Gope Board of classical form, made from a slightly bowed piece of hardwood, possibly the bottom or gunwale of a war canoe; and carved in relief with depictions of a figure in segmented form, in classical style for the region. Originally from the area between the Era River, Purari Delta and Urama region. The board shows age and use, with pigments in brick-red, black and white.
This fine old board depicts a spirit in segmented form; the top being the head with classical inverted “Y” shaped white facial painting; the central panel being the umbilicus and the lower portion being the limbs. This is a fine example of powerful Papuan Gulf carving.
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