Older rare Chief table headrest Polychrome Palembei Sepik Papua New Guinea 41A8

Old rare and large Chief eating table (also used as a headrest)

 Intense polychrome Motifs

From the Sepik river region 

 Papua New Guinea

ITEM 41A8

Representations of fauna

Hand-carved and created in relief

 then colored enhanced with natural pigments 

 From Palembei Village, Sepik region.

Item 41A8

Size: 36” X 9” X 6”

The sides both have an ancestor moon-like face for protection, with a angry bird head in the front and on the other side a crocodile tail, table also has crocodile legs... the bird in the front was carved to intimidate, a menacing beak 1/2 opened ready to attack, it is the head of the fierce and revered cassowary. Everything represented attest to the power of the chief as many of the representations have symbolic meanings of power, force, or riches such as respected animals for their force or other for the riches they procure the owner. Unique and large, highly collectible and absolutely unique. Palembei Village, Sepik region.

Highly decorative and collectible representing life around the Sepik river, PNG, and finely carved.

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, tell us.

We have many rare pieces available that we list weekly, shields including some from the Asmat region, arrow reflectors and panels as well as story boards, gope boards, masks, statues, baskets etc...