A Superb Old New Guinea Sago Pounder Ramu River Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea
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| Collection No. | SOLD |
|---|---|
| Size | 61cm |
A Superb Old New Guinea Sago Pounder Ramu River Area Madang Province Papua New Guinea
Sago Pounders & many utilitarian objects are beautifully carved & decorated with ancestral images & totemic animals which is a visual reminder of the presence of their ancestors in day-to-day activities. Some carvers were famous for their utilitarian carvings like this Sago Pounder and they were highly sought by family members and clan members & even other villages. This fione example has an abstract bird carving that was the artist’s signature carving.
Sago is the staple food for many people on the Island of New Guinea. Sago is a starch extracted from the pith, or spongy core tissue, of various tropical palm stems, especially those of Metroxylon sagu. It is traditionally cooked and eaten in various forms, such as rolled into balls, mixed with boiling water to form a glue-like paste, or as a pancake.
The whole family or extended family would have to go out to make sago flour every 2 weeks or so. First, the people usually have to travel some distance to where there are still many Sago Trees belonging to their clan the traditional owners of that land. The tree is cut down by men & then it is split open to expose the pith inside. The Pith is then extracted & pounded with a Sago Pounder like this example before being put through a sieve, the pith is then washed through a sieve. When the sago is washed through this process it coagulates at the bottom of the sieve where when settles it can be cut into blocks and carried back to the village in homemade backpacks. This will feed a family for 2 weeks or so, it is hard work but a regular routine for many people in New Guinea.
Provenance: Old Collection Australia and The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art
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I have artwork for Museums and art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery. I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.
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To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.
For all inquiries, please contact us.
