Sepik artifacts to sell for K4m

By SINCLAIRE SOLOMON

 

FOUR very rare artifacts from the Sepik River are expected to sell for about K4 million at an auction in Paris, France, next week, The National reports.

They included one of the oldest PNG artifacts in existence – a 107cm magnificent figure of the Ewa people of Karawari River, Middle Sepik, which has been dated to between 1440 and 1650 by the C14 method.

The Ewa figure, according to auction house Sotheby’s, which is conducting the June 16 sales, is worth at least 500,000 euros (K1.69 million)

“It is a superb illustration of the conceptual boldness and ethereal beauty of a tradition whose sculpture counts among the oldest,” it said in its online sales catalogue.

Following the tremendous success of Sotheby’s New York sale on May 14 where one Sepik artifact, the Biwat male ancestor, sold for a record K5.87 million to an anonymous European buyer, interest can be expected to be high on the Sepik carvings, espe-cially the Ewa figure.

Another important male figure from the lower Sepik, standing 71.5cm tall, is expected to draw buyers. It is valued at 350,000 euros (K1.18 million) and was first publicly displayed at a 1930 exhibition in Paris by French art dealer Pierre Loeb.

“Its long curved nose, typical of the Kandimbong figures which portray the tribe’s mythical founder,” the Sotheby’s catalogue said.

Sotheby’s said the Sepik artifacts were among the most carefully curated ensembles of African and Oceanic Art to be offered on the market in recent years.

The other Sepik artifacts which are expected to sell well are a 40.5cm very rare Biwat mask (50,000 euros or K177, 000) and an equally rare 25cm crouching female figure from Lower Sepik worth the same amount.

Sotheby’s said: “The June 2010 auction pays tribute to the eye of John Friede and his work in promoting the recognition of the art of New Guinea.”

In total 12, PNG artifacts from the Marcia and John Friede Jolika Collection “illustrate the archaic beauty and power of New Guinea art”.

Five of these objects were formerly part of the collection on view at de Young Museum in San Francisco, but were acquired by Sotheby’s in February following a court order to sell and recoup money it is owed by the Friedes.

Interestingly, the Biwat mask was initially acquired by expatriate art buyer Wayne Heathcote, who has been linked with

the illegal export of PNG

artifacts which are classed national cultural property.

Two of these state items, from Sepik River, are in the Jolika Collection at the de Young Museum which Culture and Tourism Minister Charles Abel visited on Wednesday to discuss with museum officials their possible return.

Sotheby’s New York has assured The National that none of the items it acquired from the collection for auction are state-protected items.

Viewing of items for the Paris sales artifacts starts today and continues until June 15, the day before the auction.