A fine amulet figure with bent arms, collected along the south coast of West Papua. Small figures of this type were carried or kept as protective objects and were believed to embody spiritual forces that could guard their owner against harm or misfortune. The compact carving and the characteristic bent-arm posture give the figure a strong and expressive presence despite its small size. Such amuletic figures often represented ancestral beings or spirit helpers and played a role in the complex spiritual traditions of the coastal Papuan communities. This example shows pleasing age and wear consistent with long use and careful keeping. A charming and authentic piece of Papuan material culture, attractive to collectors of Oceanic tribal art. Packed with care, sending worldwide 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