Tribal Canoe Prow Figurehead | Asmat Tribe | New Guinea

This special and rare tribal art statue served as the prow figurehead of a canoe of the Asmat people from New Guinea.After the canoe was worn out or unused, these types of figureheads were disassembled and kept as showpieces, for example, it was kept in a men's hut as a second destination where it was daily in the smoke and thus obtained its beautiful smoky patina.The sculpture is made in typical naive style, very characteristic and decorative!The figurehead was taken in the 1990s by well-known ethnic collector Fons Schobbers who acquired it during a 4-month journey through the bush in New Guinea in an Asmat village where people still lived in a traditional way. 

The head allegedly represented a spirit that protected the canoe from storms at sea caused by other spirits.

Creator: Asmat People

Dimensions (cm):

Place of Origin: New Guinea

Design Period: 19th Century

Style: Ethnic (Tribal Art)

Materials:Hand-Carved Wood