Rare Kulap Stone Figure
New Ireland, Papua New Guinea
Date: 19th century
Dimensions: 14 ¾ inches by 4 inches
Provenance: ex. Santa Fe, NM private collection; ex. Taylor Dale, Santa Fe, NM; ex. Douglas Schneible, Vermont
Price: SOLD
Rare limestone, early style figure from Central New Ireland, possibly from the area of Loloba Village. Chalk figures were used to represent the dead in funeral ceremonies.
According to Michael Gunn in Ritual Arts of Oceania, New Ireland: In the Collections of the Barbier-Mueller Museum: "Limestone chalk figure carving on New Ireland ended around 1910 shortly after contact with European Missionaries..."