Early Art, Ridge Pwamabaï Kanak New Caledonia Early 20th Century

Early art, ethnic art Ancient Pwamabaï ridge spire made of husk wood (Montrouziera cauliflora), a cross engraved in its middle Close piece deposited at the New Caledonia Museum, Nouméa. In the style of the ridge sculpted by Bwae Oobun (Pwei Tribe), Touho, which we find on the cover of the poster for the Kanak exhibition at the Musée du Quai Branly Piece from the collection of a former administrator of the Colonies in the 1940s Missing the mast Height approximately 35 cm Period: early 20th century (1920-1930) Good condition The ridge sculpture planted at the top of the frame represents the ancestral face, visible from the front to the visitor walking on the path leading to the door of the Grande Case, prestige of the chiefdom. The Kanak names for the ridge spire refer to the husk, a tree which symbolizes the body of the chief and the antiquity of his origins. The arrow also evokes the memory of the dead leader.