Oceanic Art - Enlargement           Back to Figures

This nice gope board probably comes from Urama Island at the mouth of the Era River in the Papuan Gulf. This example is very fine, carved from a medium hardwood with the nose carved in high relief with a pierced septum-this is a good diagnostic trait in judging the age and authenticity of gope boards. The gope itself is fairly thin with good remains of pigments on the front and an aged patina on the reverse. The piece is 34 ½" in height, comes with a custom display stand. sold