A rare West New Britain spirit board.

Availability: In Stock

A rare West New Britain spirit board.
Stock Number:
t4250
$ 3750.00

Description

A rare West New Britain spirit board. 
Carved in raised relief with a figure, half-human, half-crocodile.
Decorated with red, white and blue trade paint, with evidence of multi-layered pigments. 
When a woman marries into a different clan and bears her first son, a carved board such as this is presented to the family of the husband. The son is then initiated into the protective care of both clans. In return for this board, the husband's family pays the wife's family about 200 strands of shell money. The board must be paid for prior to the son being initiated.

 

Origin:

Kombe linguistic area, West New Britain, Melanesia

Dimensions:

Height: 178 cm

Due to the size or weight of this item, please contact us directly if you are interested in purchasing it.