⸻ Ceremonial Wooden Bowl – Yotefa Bay, North Coast of West Papua Mid-20th century A rare mid-20th-century ceremonial wooden bowl from the Yotefa Bay area, north coast of West Papua. The bowl is carved from a single piece of hardwood and features a bold, sculptural anthropomorphic figure in relief on both opposing sides. These board-like figures, strongly stylised and frontal, are characteristic of ritual objects from the Sentani–Yotefa cultural sphere. Such figures are generally associated with ancestral presence and protection, and bowls of this type were used during ceremonial gatherings rather than for everyday domestic purposes. The surface shows a deep, dark patina, developed through age, handling, and ritual use. Tool marks remain visible, underscoring its authenticity and hand-carved origin. The overall form is powerful yet restrained, with the figural elements integrated harmoniously into the vessel’s body. Provenance: Yotefa Bay region, North Coast of West Papua Date: Mid-20th century Material: Hardwood Condition: Good, with age-related wear consistent with ceremonial use A strong and increasingly scarce ceremonial object from the Papuan north coast, suitable for a serious collection of Oceanic or Melanesian 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