Abelam Hornbill Bird Sculpture
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TitleAbelam Horn Bill Bird Sculpture
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LocationMaprik district, East Sepik Province
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Date1960s
- Size66cm (L) x 40cm (W)
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Price$1,300.00
The Abelam people live in the Prince Alexander Mountains. Their iconic ceremonial houses were built on the grandest scale known in New Guinea, and were the focal point for cults of yam growing and initiation. Along with these structures, their art also formed an important component of their intensive ceremonial life. It was displayed in vast painted gables and lintels, to which carvings of hornbills, parrots, and lizards were attached. The carvings were in every instance augmented by paint, which indeed the Abelam considered magical in itself.
This Abelam hornbill sculpture was made to be attached to such a facade. The hornbill is considered a symbol of the clan and is often repeated in two and three-dimensional works.
This example of a hornbill is in excellent condition and displayed on a custom metal stand. Height excluding stand 66cm x 40cm wide.
The Abelam people live in the Prince Alexander Mountains. Their iconic ceremonial houses were built on the grandest scale known in New Guinea, and were the focal point for cults of yam growing and initiation. Along with these structures, their art also formed an important component of their intensive ceremonial life. It was displayed in vast painted gables and lintels, to which carvings of hornbills, parrots, and lizards were attached. The carvings were in every instance augmented by paint, which indeed the Abelam considered magical in itself.
This Abelam hornbill sculpture was made to be attached to such a facade. The hornbill is considered a symbol of the clan and is often repeated in two and three-dimensional works.
This example of a hornbill is in excellent condition and displayed on a custom metal stand. Height excluding stand 66cm x 40cm wide.
