Oceanic, New Guinea or Molucca Islands, ca. 17th to 18th century CE. Two animal skin scrolls, each with long narratives, part pictorial, part ideograms, originating from the indigenous tribes of New Guinea. Size: 48"L (121.9 cm) x 7"W (17.8 cm).

The iconography of the shorter scroll includes three mask-like visages, one image of a seated lord, and a depiction of a canoe decorated with a profile visage at the prow followed by a procession of five figures, the first with hands placed upon the prow head, the others with hands placed upon the shoulders of the preceding figures. The longer scroll includes fascinating ideograms, a totem-pole like image, and a boat with three figures, dressed in ceremonious perhaps war regalia, depicted in composite profile. According to the collector of this piece, who is not only a reputable collector but also an accomplished New York University educated art historian, this is a rare written record from New Guinea or the adjacent Molucca Islands. He writes, "Looking at the details of the canoe prows is indicative of openwork carvings of their war boats precisely pertaining to the Northwestern part of New Guinea." An unusual find, as up to this point, we have not seen written records from the indigenous of this part of the world.

Provenance: Ex-private east coast collection, Ex-Dr. Joseph Chess, Larchmont, NY, acquired in 1940s.

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#107199

Skins show age and wear. Ideograms and images are quite vivid. Some loss to lower right corner of shorter scroll. Larger scroll is sewn together from two pieces and has a few open holes as shown.