Oceanic Art - Figuress Enlargement

This old and expressive gope board comes from the Coastal Namau area of Papua New Guinea's Papuan Gulf area. Gope board's such as this represented ancestral spirits and were kept in the ceremonial long houses. This one exhibits deep carving in relief, nice remains of pigment and one large red seed eye-the other is missing. The reverse has a nice dark patina from age. Judging from the style, the depth of carving and the patina I would date this piece to the first quarter of the 20th century. The piece is 50" in height, comes with a custom display stand. sold