Korowai War Club
Korowai people, western Papua (Irian Jaya), Indonesia
20th century
Hardwood carved and hardened by fire
Length: 119 cm
JEAN-PIERRE DUTILLEUX COLLECTION
Origin
Collected in the field by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux during his ethnographic missions in Western Papua.
Publication
Copy reproduced in the book TRIBES - The First People.
Description
Large Korowai battle club with a particularly slender silhouette, characteristic of weapons intended for close combat within the forest populations of western Papua.
Cut into a single piece of hardwood and then hardened by fire according to local traditional techniques, it is distinguished by its remarkable carved knob in the shape of a zoomorphic head. This stylized representation, with powerful volumes and carefully worked reliefs, is animated by deep hollowed eyes and incised motifs that reinforce its symbolic presence.
The long barrel is punctuated by a regular engraved decoration as well as discreet side teeth participating in its visual identity. The whole has a beautiful homogeneous ancient patina, accompanied by consistent traces of use testifying to an object authentically used in its original cultural context.
By its elegant proportions, the quality of its sculpture and its direct origin from the field, this copy clearly distinguishes itself from the more commonly encountered productions.
ETHNOGRAPHIC CONTEXT
The Korowai are among the forest peoples of New Guinea whose discovery by the Western world remains relatively recent. Jean-Pierre Dutilleux devoted several field observations to them related in his works and documentaries.
In Sur la trace des peuples perdus, the author reports in particular several testimonies collected from his interlocutors concerning ancient war and ritual practices that have now disappeared or profoundly transformed. These stories constitute a rare ethnographic testimony on the cultural universe in which weapons such as this club were inscribed.
Interest
– remarkable zoomorphic head carved in relief
– longline typology sought
– beautiful old patina of use
– field collection by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux
– copy reproduced in TRIBES – The First People
– material testimony of one of the most emblematic forest cultures in New Guinea
Mention
This club is reproduced in the book TRIBES – The First People by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux.
20th century
Hardwood carved and hardened by fire
Length: 119 cm
JEAN-PIERRE DUTILLEUX COLLECTION
Origin
Collected in the field by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux during his ethnographic missions in Western Papua.
Publication
Copy reproduced in the book TRIBES - The First People.
Description
Large Korowai battle club with a particularly slender silhouette, characteristic of weapons intended for close combat within the forest populations of western Papua.
Cut into a single piece of hardwood and then hardened by fire according to local traditional techniques, it is distinguished by its remarkable carved knob in the shape of a zoomorphic head. This stylized representation, with powerful volumes and carefully worked reliefs, is animated by deep hollowed eyes and incised motifs that reinforce its symbolic presence.
The long barrel is punctuated by a regular engraved decoration as well as discreet side teeth participating in its visual identity. The whole has a beautiful homogeneous ancient patina, accompanied by consistent traces of use testifying to an object authentically used in its original cultural context.
By its elegant proportions, the quality of its sculpture and its direct origin from the field, this copy clearly distinguishes itself from the more commonly encountered productions.
ETHNOGRAPHIC CONTEXT
The Korowai are among the forest peoples of New Guinea whose discovery by the Western world remains relatively recent. Jean-Pierre Dutilleux devoted several field observations to them related in his works and documentaries.
In Sur la trace des peuples perdus, the author reports in particular several testimonies collected from his interlocutors concerning ancient war and ritual practices that have now disappeared or profoundly transformed. These stories constitute a rare ethnographic testimony on the cultural universe in which weapons such as this club were inscribed.
Interest
– remarkable zoomorphic head carved in relief
– longline typology sought
– beautiful old patina of use
– field collection by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux
– copy reproduced in TRIBES – The First People
– material testimony of one of the most emblematic forest cultures in New Guinea
Mention
This club is reproduced in the book TRIBES – The First People by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux.
4 200 €
Period: 20th century
Style: Tribal Art
Condition: Good condition
Reference (ID): 1776195
Availability: In stock
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