A Fine Old New Guinea Stone Wealth Axe Yangoru Boiken Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea

A Fine Old Stone Wealth Axe Yangoru Boiken Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea Dating from the late 19th – early 20th century. 

This beautiful old Ceremonial Stone Wealth Axe is from the Yangoru Boiken people who live in the remote Prince Alexander Mountain Range in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea.

This type of Ceremonial Axe is used as a traditional form of wealth and is often used for paying a bridal dowry by the young man’s parents and family.  The top of the Axe is finely carved in the image of a totemic bird figure with incised designs & traces of ochre painting.

The stone which could be centuries old is also painted with designs.  A bridal dowry is a very important part of New Guinea people’s culture, depending on the area the dowry can be paid in Shell Ornaments, Stone Axes, Bird of Paradise Feathers, and Food.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art

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