Korwar ancestor statue - Wakde style (Cenderawasih/Doreh Bay), Papua

Description

Special Korwar ancestor statue in Wakde style from the Cenderawasih (Yellowfinch) / Doreh Bay region of Papua. This 24 cm tall statue (incl. plinth) shows a powerfully carved head with 'arrow shaped' nose, shiny white glass beads like eyes and traces of old textile on the underside. The penetrating gaze and refined forms make this a rare example of Wakde regional Korwar art.

Origin & meaning
Korwar figures were used in rituals to contact the ancestors and ask for protection. The inlaid glass eyes were considered to be gateways through which the spirit could be present. This rare specimen is executed in the Wakde style, a regional variant of Cenderawasih Bay, known for its compact, angular head shapes and spiritual intensity. Provenance: ex-collection Antonie (Ton) Loning, Zandvoort; ex-collection Pete Spooner, Leiden; acquired at De Zwaan auction house. The double Dutch collector's provenance underlines the collector's value.

This statue fits into the tradition of Korwar statues from Papua, which we write about in more detail in our article Korwar statues from Papua: power and meaning.

Dimensions & condition
Height 24 cm incl. plinth (19 cm without), width 7 cm, depth 9 cm. Eyes inlaid with white glass beads. With traces of old textile and appropriate signs of age. Authentic, unrestored condition.