#58 • Grade Figural Fern Sculpture, Vanuatu Banks Islands

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

Starting at $180.00

Status: No sale

Estimated Value: $600-4,000 Origin: Vanuatu, Banks Islands or Malekula Island  20th Century Dimensions: 15x131in Condition: No visible damage some fibers falling off around the edges Additional Information: A Vanuatu fern figure made by the Suque people is commissioned to be made to be used as a public monument ritualized offerings at a ceremony that includes drumming, performances, and sacrificing pigs so one can get graded in a Kastom political and social system, taking a new grade and move up in the hierarchy scale in the community advancing their status. The piece is carved out of the fern tree which has fine fibers. The grade sculpture is decorated with a stylized face with large circular eyes, a large nose, a top knot on top of its head, and a long beard that reaches the bottom half of the trunk. Most fern figures made in Ambrym, Malekula and other islands of Vanuatu have only a large powerful head. This is part of the root system of the giant fern trees and there is a spiritual connection between life above and below the ground. Animal totems such as this reptilian figure as well as dogs, pigs and avian figures serve as protective spirits