Bisjpaal - sculpture group - ex collection Stichting Papua Erfgoed - Asmat - West Papua (Nieuw Guinea) (No Reserve Price)
04
days
12
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Current bid
€ 9
No reserve price
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Selected by Amy Wassing
Nearly 20 years' experience in Indonesian and Oceanian art with museum expertise.
Estimate € 230 - € 280
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Miniature demonstration bisjpaal of the Asmat from West Papua, New Guinea, carved in wood, dating to the mid-20th century, 49.75 cm high, 11 cm deep, 1.75 cm wide, from a private collection (Stichting Papua Erfgoed, after 1965), not supplied with a stand and in good condition with the upper part broken and unable to stand on its own.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Miniature demonstration pole of the Asmat from Papua New Guinea.
This is a smaller version of a bisj pole made as a demonstration for missionaries and ethnographers who wanted to learn more about the Asmat culture. They often made smaller versions of their wood carvings for this purpose because they were easy to carry. The Asmat are known for their wood carving.
The bisjpalen are meter-high wood carvings, also called ancestor poles or spirit poles. They often have light colors and are usually painted with white chalk and red ochre. The pole consists of various human figures stacked on top of each other, representing the individuals in the community or family who passed away that year. The human figures are positioned upright and, in some cases, backwards or upside down. They often include smaller human figures and utilize repeated motifs. The open style of wood carving is also called ajour.
The Asmat honor their ancestors every year during the bisj festival. This is an extensive ritual that can last from weeks to months. During such a festival, there is much singing and dancing, and various ceremonies take place. At the center is the carving of the bisj pole. The word bisj is derived from mbi, which means spirit or ghost of the dead. The bisj poles created during the festival serve as a connection between the living and the dead. The ritual festival is also intended to ensure that the dead can travel to the afterlife (Safan), so their spirits do not wander the earth. The completion of the poles marks the end of the festival.
Because the Asmat believe in a cyclical world order, the bisjpaal is also a fertility symbol, because the death of a person signifies the birth of new life.
The item is in good condition, although it was originally higher. A part of the top has broken off. It cannot stand on its own. This woodcarving comes from the collection of Stichting Papua Erfgoed (after 1965).
Seller's Story
Rootz Gallery has an extensive collection of remarkable art objects from the non-Western world and a collection of modern and contemporary art. The art collection originally started with the gathering of modern and contemporary art. Due to a long-standing fascination with other cultures, it was quickly expanded to include non-Western art objects. The gallery has primarily focused on non-Western art for a long time, but has recently also refocused on modern and contemporary art.
Many pieces originate from ritual contexts and have been carefully collected over a period of 40 years. The items, often acquired during travels and coming from old collections, offer a unique insight into authentic cultures and traditions.
Translated by Google TranslateMiniature demonstration pole of the Asmat from Papua New Guinea.
This is a smaller version of a bisj pole made as a demonstration for missionaries and ethnographers who wanted to learn more about the Asmat culture. They often made smaller versions of their wood carvings for this purpose because they were easy to carry. The Asmat are known for their wood carving.
The bisjpalen are meter-high wood carvings, also called ancestor poles or spirit poles. They often have light colors and are usually painted with white chalk and red ochre. The pole consists of various human figures stacked on top of each other, representing the individuals in the community or family who passed away that year. The human figures are positioned upright and, in some cases, backwards or upside down. They often include smaller human figures and utilize repeated motifs. The open style of wood carving is also called ajour.
The Asmat honor their ancestors every year during the bisj festival. This is an extensive ritual that can last from weeks to months. During such a festival, there is much singing and dancing, and various ceremonies take place. At the center is the carving of the bisj pole. The word bisj is derived from mbi, which means spirit or ghost of the dead. The bisj poles created during the festival serve as a connection between the living and the dead. The ritual festival is also intended to ensure that the dead can travel to the afterlife (Safan), so their spirits do not wander the earth. The completion of the poles marks the end of the festival.
Because the Asmat believe in a cyclical world order, the bisjpaal is also a fertility symbol, because the death of a person signifies the birth of new life.
The item is in good condition, although it was originally higher. A part of the top has broken off. It cannot stand on its own. This woodcarving comes from the collection of Stichting Papua Erfgoed (after 1965).
Seller's Story
Rootz Gallery has an extensive collection of remarkable art objects from the non-Western world and a collection of modern and contemporary art. The art collection originally started with the gathering of modern and contemporary art. Due to a long-standing fascination with other cultures, it was quickly expanded to include non-Western art objects. The gallery has primarily focused on non-Western art for a long time, but has recently also refocused on modern and contemporary art.
Many pieces originate from ritual contexts and have been carefully collected over a period of 40 years. The items, often acquired during travels and coming from old collections, offer a unique insight into authentic cultures and traditions.
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
No. of items
1
Ethnic group/ culture
Asmat
Country of Origin
West Papua (Nieuw Guinea)
Period
Mid 20th century
Material
Wood
Sold with stand
No
Condition
Good condition
Title of artwork
Bisjpaal - sculpture group - ex collection Stichting Papua Erfgoed
Height
49.75 cm
Width
1.75 cm
Depth
11 cm
Provenance
Private collection
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