#72 • Crocodile Canoe Prow

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

High bid $65.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $150-350 Origin: Papua New Guinea Dimensions: 33x10x3 in.  Condition: Shows some wear including chipping and cracking due to age of piece.  Additional Information: This Crocodile Canoe Prow is a hand carved piece, likely from the front of a dugout canoe native to the region of Papua New Guinea Middle Sepic River region of the Latmul peoples. This prow is defined by a long snout, a mouth full of carved teeth, and bulging eyes. To represent the scales, it is intricately incised with ascending squares and then detailed with circular sweeping side scales of the crocodile that form a geometric motif. It is made of wood.