Asmat panel in relief with figural motifs - Southwest Papua (Indonesia) - collection Jac Hoogerbrugge

Description

Impressive Asmat panel from southwest Papua (Indonesia), richly carved in relief with typical figural motifs and original painting in black, white and red pigment.

This powerful wooden panel depicts human figures surrounded by organic patterns, characteristic of the ritual imagery of the Asmat. The dynamic lines and contrasting pigments give the work a rhythmic, almost living character. The natural weathering and pigment loss bear witness to age and ritual use.

Origin & meaning
Within the Asmat culture, such panels served as ceremonial decorations in men's houses (jeu), where they represented the ancestors and offered protection during rituals. The figural representations express the interconnectedness between man, nature and spiritual world - a core value in Asmat cosmology.

Originating from the collection of Jac Hoogerbrugge, collected in the 1970s. Hoogerbrugge acquired his objects while travelling through Oceania and selected on aesthetic quality and authenticity.

Dimensions & condition
Height approximately 119.5 cm; width approximately 20 cm; depth approximately 2 cm.
Good, stable condition with light weathering and a small damage at lower left (see photos).

The collection of Jac Hoogerbrugge (Netherlands, 1930-2020) was built up between the 1960s and 1980s during extensive travels through Africa and Oceania. Hoogerbrugge was known for his accurate field notes and eye for artistic quality. His collection included a wide selection of tribal art with well-documented provenance, several pieces of which are today considered reference objects within Dutch private collections.