#7 • Sepik River Canoe Prow Shield, Papua New Guinea, 19th Century

Part of Professor’s Collection Part One: Pacific & Pre-Columbian Artifacts (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $225.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $750-1,200 Origin: Papua New Guinea Dimensions: 36x6x40 in.  Condition: Wear of the paint, wood and fibers Additional Information: A carved wooden and painted canoe prowl death mask and canoe prowl. Placed at the front of large war canoes to scare and frighten the oncoming traditional enemies. The canoe prowl has the shape of a mask face with an open mouth with fibers coming out of it. It is panted with geometric simple designs. There is also fibers and feathers around the edges of the flat portion of the prowl. Woven fibers and sticks line the back.  Reportedly, provenance: from a Kansas ethnographer.