Find Lots

• Auction House:
  Theodore Bruce
• Sale Name:
  Timed Online Auction | The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Asian Art | Day I
• Sale Date:
  08 Aug 2022 ~ 6pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  9163
• Lot Description:
  A Superb Men's Split Bamboo Belt, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, 19th Century
  Together with a Fine Old Bark Belt from the Western Highlands Province of Papua New, Early to Mid-20th Century. These are the two finest old ceremonial Men's Belt that I had kept for my private collection.
  30 x 17 cm, 26, 15 cm
• Provenance:
  The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art
• Notes:
  In several areas of Papua New Guinea men made and wore bark belts like these fine examples. The bark would have been stripped off a large tree and while still supple, they would have cut the correct shape and then added incised the geometric designs, when drier they would highlight the carving by adding colour as this example. These belts would be worn around the waist and at the front a special netting that looks like a woven bilum bag draped over the pubic area as the belt was only around the waist. The back of the belt men would stick leaves in and hence the pidgin English word " ass grass " which covered the man's rear end. When I first visited the Highlands of New Guinea in 1985, I saw quite a lot of older men wearing bark belts and ass grass daily, they had not been converted to wearing western clothes which they considered to be dirty.
• Estimate:
  A$400 - 600
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

  Can't see the realised price? Upgrade your subscription now!

• Category:
  Tribal

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.