Papuan Gulf Spirit Board 10
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Authors
Issue Date
2016-10-03
Type
image
Language
en_US
Keywords
Gope Board , Spirit Boards , Papua New Guinea , Daniel Munzert , James Wasserstrom
Alternative Title
Abstract
Gope Board of classical form, including dark brown/black and white pigments, 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 with a head atop a tapering pointed board with incised, scrimmed designs. classical style for the region. Originally from the area between the Era River, Purari Delta and Urama region.
This fine old board is somewhat enigmatic in that the design is incised rather than deeply carved; a tradition sometimes found in the Western part of the Papuan Gulf. It may be that this was a figure made for some other purpose than a typical Gope, perhaps an initiation object or sorcery figure. In any case, it is a fine example with power and integrity.