Papua Era River Ritual Spirit Bravery Polychrome Gope Board Trophy Shield 10A3

Item 10A3 in our inventory

(Seen on the photos that are not of natives)

Rare vintage Oceanic Kerewa hand carved Gope spirit board in superb condition

Era River, Western Papuan Gulf, New Guinea

Collected 25+ years ago

Measures: 26 1/4" x 6" thick

Colored with natural pigment colors

Gope boards from are elliptical in shape and incised with brightly colored abstract patterns. Warriors were entitled to have a Gope board for each act of bravery, and a board, from the vanquished enemy's canoe held particular significance, transferring some of its previous owner's strength to the victor.

Gope boards serve several functions and are a traditional carving from the eastern Papuan gulf only. In the men's longhouse (the Venei), each clan occupies its own designated area, there are no walls separating these areas but ritual objects, especially gopes, are hung to form the walls of the clan cubicle. The other function performed by some of these gopes is that of a medium through which the elders can get instructions from the spirits. (when to make war, plant the gardens, go on a trading expedition etc.)

 Check Dominique Rice Oceania Store in Sun Sentinel Newspaper, Fort Lauderdale, for information on our collection and authentic art.

All our collector and rare items come with pages and pages of research about provenance, and with history of the tribes and photos as well, depending on item and whenever possible. When shipping internationally, we group ship multiple purchases to save you money, and find the best rates available. If you have any questions or want to see research conducted on this piece and photos of tribes, let us know.