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A fine & early Vao Island (Malekula) ceremonial pig Killing…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
8-May-2016
Lot No.
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Description:
A fine & early Vao Island (Malekula) ceremonial pig Killing Hammer, this pig Killing hammer is a very early example and finely carved in Vao Island style. These objects were highly important ceremonial implements that were used to kill pigs when a high ranking man was going to undertake a new grade or title during the ceremony. The taking of a higher grade took immense efforts and wealth in both accumulating pigs, food to feeds guests and traditional wealth objects such as full circle boar's tusks, which are distributed at the time of the ceremony. In the highest grades a man would kill hundreds of pigs and most importantly pigs with full circle tusks that are considered scared. This pig hammer is late-19th century. It has two very finely carved faces of important ancestors. It is carved from hardwood, includes an ancient patina and scraping marks from being finished with a shell rasp scraper, I travel widely in Vanuatu and saw quite a few old pig Killing Hammers and people would never think of selling them, they are important scared ceremonial objects. The ones frequently seem for sale are tourist objects.' Todd Barlin, This pig hammer is late 19th century, it has two very finely carved faces of important ancestors. It is carved from hardwood and has an ancient patina and scraping marks from being finished with a shell rasp scraper. Provenance: The Alex Phillips collection / Todd Barlin collection. Height 57 cm
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified