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(CH
235) Stone
Head.
Old break to base, chipped nose, varied aged patina. Stone faces of varying sizes are associated with pig magic on various islands of Vanuatu, this example has a rough base suggesting it was once a larger object. Pigs are an integral part of the graded indigenous societies of Vanuatu and valuable tusked boars would be sacrificed at certain occassions. Ethnologist Felix Speiser suggested that the killing of pigs replaced humans in grade initiation sacrifices and this may indicate the early widespread origin and use of carved stone heads. The raised cheeks and raised slit eyes point stylistically to a northern Malakulan origin. See Savage Civilization by Tom Harrisson 1937 Gollancz plate 9 for similar stone heads. Acquired from a general antiques dealer in Hobart, Tasmania who in turn purchased it from a deceased estate in the early 1970s. Malakula Island, Vanuatu 19th / Early 20th Century. Ht. 24 Cm. ( with stand ) References Arts of Vanuatu. 1996 Bonmaison & Huffman. Crawford housepress. Savage Civilization. 1972 Harrison, T. Gollancz. |