



Lot 284
Rare Canoe Prow Ornament, Marquesas Islands
11 November 2019, 15:00 EST
New YorkSold for US$60,075 inc. premium
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Rare Canoe Prow Ornament, Marquesas Islands
length 14in (35.5cm)
Provenance
Richard I.M. Kelton Collection, Marina del Rey, California
Finely carved, most likely without the use of metal tools, in a slightly reclined posture with legs joining at the base where it once attached to a larger prow element; the arms held closely at his side framing a protruding abdomen; the proportionally-large head resting on the shoulders; the face with distinctive Marquesas features with large circular eyes below high-arching brows above a diminutive broad nose above a broad mouth and framed by large curved pierced ears [the right now missing]; the head with two protruding circular elements and a hole at the top with hair tuft remnants, another in the back with a tuft of hair inserted; the front of the body decorated with finely incised linear design; original, unpolished dark-brown patina with wear indicative of significant age.
Provenance
Richard I.M. Kelton Collection, Marina del Rey, California
Finely carved, most likely without the use of metal tools, in a slightly reclined posture with legs joining at the base where it once attached to a larger prow element; the arms held closely at his side framing a protruding abdomen; the proportionally-large head resting on the shoulders; the face with distinctive Marquesas features with large circular eyes below high-arching brows above a diminutive broad nose above a broad mouth and framed by large curved pierced ears [the right now missing]; the head with two protruding circular elements and a hole at the top with hair tuft remnants, another in the back with a tuft of hair inserted; the front of the body decorated with finely incised linear design; original, unpolished dark-brown patina with wear indicative of significant age.