Unique Korwar statue from Geelvink Bay - ex-collection Willem Zwiep

Description

Powerful Korwar statue from Papua with spiritual radiance and exceptional provenance. This 38 cm tall wooden statue from Geelvink Bay (Cenderawasih Bay, Yapen, Indonesia) is a unique and impressive collector's item.

The sculpture shows a powerful face with beautifully carved eyes and a tight jawline. Traces of age and use are visible in the wood, with a soft patina indicating long-term ritual significance. The fine detail in the upper part and the balance of proportions betray the hand of an experienced maker.

Origin & meaning
Korwar statues were made by the Biak and Yapen peoples in Geelvink Bay and served as spiritual guides and protectors of the community. They were consulted in rituals and served as a medium between ancestors and the living. This particular specimen comes from the renowned Willem Zwiep collection, which significantly enhances its cultural value and collector's value. Its provenance from a good private collection provides additional security and makes this sculpture particularly attractive to connoisseurs.

Dimensions
Height 38 cm

Product photographs show the object on offer exactly as photographed. Any interior images are AI-generated impressions, included solely to illustrate scale and presentation.