PAPUA, New Guinea - Sepik Culture. - Lot 281

PAPUA, New Guinea - Sepik Culture. A carved monoxyl "Yipwon" cult figure depicting a highly stylized anthropomorphic figure, mounted on a base. Dimensions (without the base): 59 x 20 x 11 cm. Height with the base: 66 cm Provenance: Private collection in Paris. Notes: Yipwon sculptures are traditional works originating from the Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea. Carved from wood, they are distinguished by their openwork silhouette and curved forms evoking a stylized human body. These sculptures were associated with rituals, hunting, and the spiritual protection of communities. They were generally kept and displayed in the “men’s house,” a ceremonial space reserved for initiates where rituals, important meetings, and the transmission of knowledge took place.