Large Korwar skull statue - Papua (Indonesia) - Jac Hoogerbrugge collection

Description

Impressive large Korwar skull statue from Papua, crafted to protect family and village - an exceptionally powerful ritual object from the Jac Hoogerbrugge collection.

Carved from a single piece of heavy tropical wood, this monumental Korwar skull statue displays the typical Korwar style with a prominent forehead, deep eye sockets and a geometrically elaborate base. At 48 cm tall, this is among the larger known specimens of its kind. Its sculptural strength and weight (over 6 kg) give the sculpture an exceptional physical presence.

Origin & meaning
Korwar statues were made by the peoples of the north-western coasts of Papua (Indonesia), especially in the region around Geelvink Bay. They functioned as spiritual sentinels: it was believed that the spirit of a deceased ancestor could dwell in the statue to protect the family from illness and misfortune. This function made it one of the most charged and respected forms of Papuan sculpture.

This item is from the collection of Jac Hoogerbrugge, who acquired it during his field research in Oceania in the 1960s-1970s. His notes list it as a “large Korwar with powerful character”, which is consistent with the expressive form and strong symmetry of this sculpture.

Dimensions & condition
Height 48 cm; width 18 cm; depth 18 cm; weight 6.226 kg.
Wood carving with natural weathering and patina, some age cracks - good, stable condition. Free-standing, without plinth.

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.