This beautiful plate, carved in the shape of a turtle, is made from dense hardwood and displays a strong, harmonious form. The turtle, a powerful symbol of longevity, protection, and ancestral continuity in many Oceanic cultures, gives this piece both cultural depth and visual presence. According to provenance, this plate belonged to a chief’s family, which is reflected in the quality of the carving and the care taken in its execution. The surface shows a rich, natural patina, developed over time, highlighting the grain of the wood and the sculptural contours of the piece. Dated to the 1980s, this object originates from a period when traditional forms were still closely connected to everyday life and social hierarchy. Plates of this type were often used during important communal or ceremonial occasions, particularly within families of high status. Both elegant and meaningful, this turtle-shaped wooden plate is a rare and evocative object, equally appealing as an ethnographic artifact and as a striking work of Oceanic art. A distinguished addition to any serious collection or curated interior. A striking and elegant piece of Lake Sentani art, embodying the spiritual and artistic heritage of the region — highly collectible and museum-worthy. We pack with care, sending all over the world for 35 years already A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024 A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies. A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums Google: Papua Blues Koos Knol