Spear of the Asmat people, Papua New Guinea, Indonesia
A distinctive spear of the Papua Asmat people, who live in the Indonesian part of New Guinea. The Asmat people are famous for their carving traditions, but also for their past as a people of headhunters (peoples who practiced capturing as a war trophy the heads of slain enemies). In the 1960s, 23-year-old Michael Rockefeller disappeared in an area inhabited by the Asmat people. To this day there is speculation that his disappearance may have been related to the Asmat's ancient cannibalistic practices. Rockefeller's amassed collection of carvings (including spears) of this people later ended up in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Teak wood, length 254 cm.
Country of origin: Indonesia (Papua New Guinea).
Early 20th century.
Note: The object is not in the auction house's office in Cracow, Poland. If you would like to see the object before the auction or pick it up in person after the auction, please contact us in advance to make arrangements.
(No. 79)
