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THBPapua New Guinea Paddle - Sentani Style Carving
Lot 14
About Seller
Artemis Fine Arts
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
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Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Estimate:
$1,200 - $1,800
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About Auction
Live
By Artemis Fine Arts
Aug 22, 2025
Set Reminder
2025-08-22 10:00:00
2025-08-22 10:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Indigenous Art - Ralph T. Coe Center, Santa Fe, NM
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/artemis-gallery/indigenous-art---ralph-t-coe-center-santa-fe-nm-20324
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
Featuring works of art from the Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico, a non-profit focused on promoting Indigenous Arts globally. All proceeds from the sale of these items will support future grants to Rehoming Program participants. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisfinearts.com
View Full Catalog (452)
- Lot Description
Oceania, West Papua New Guinea, Sentani Region, ca. mid to late 20th Century CE. A slender and elegant ceremonial paddle from the Lake Sentani region of northern Papua New Guinea, hand-carved from a single piece of hardwood and decorated with abstract linear and curvilinear motifs. The blade, shaped in a long almond form and tapering to a fine point, is adorned with classic Sentani scrollwork: concentric wave-like spirals, interlocking arcs, and nested diamonds arranged with rhythmic precision. The patterns are carved in shallow relief across both faces of the paddle. These paddles were traditionally associated with women's ritual practices, community dances, or symbolic displays, rather than utilitarian use. Their decorative motifs often reflect connections to water, ancestral spirits, and clan identity, with the swirling lines said to reference the movement of fish, birds, and lake currents. Size: 61" L x 6" W (154.9 cm x 15.2 cm)
The shaft rises in a smooth taper and shows subtle wear from handling. The surface has aged to a soft, matte patina with deeper coloration in recessed areas, enhancing the visual depth of the carved patterns. Paddles used by women were often more elaborately decorated than those used by men, featuring intricate designs that signified the owner's family or clan affiliation. These ceremonial paddles were typically carved from dense ironwood (Intsia bijuga), valued for its durability and rich surface finish. Unlike purely functional paddles, this example speaks to the ceremonial traditions of the Sentani people, where objects carried visual, spiritual, and social meaning. A fine representation of the Sentani carving tradition, this paddle is both a sculptural form and an artifact of ritual heritage.
Provenance: Ralph T. Coe Center for the Arts, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA; ex-Arthur Erickson, Portland, Oregon, USA; purchased from Taylor Dale Gallery, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
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#195960Some chipping and stable fissures to paddle, as well as age-commensurate surface wear throughout. Small area of green paint on one side of handle just above paddle. Otherwise, intact and excellent with impressive detail and light patina.Condition
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