A carved wooden Nkuma Nogwei figure. Nkuma people, Washkuk Hills, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.Finely carved with the female figure standing with typically carved Nkuma face and depicting the bisected horizontal red lower half, the eyes and nose well sculpted and connected to the brow. The body with arms akimbo and hands touching the waist, incised designs reproducing body scarification. Remains of pigment over a dirty and encrusted surface from use. A fine example.Nogwei figures belonged to the highest level of fertility rites among the Washkuk and could only be owned by important men of status. The female figures were elaborately decorated and displayed in the men’s house during use. When not used they were stored, resulting in a layer of soot from cooking-fire smoke and dirt.Acquired by Marc Seidler from Lynda Cunningham, C. 1981. The sculpture measures 36.5 inches tall and was carved from a heavy dense wood.

Good, well handled and worn