Items Similar to Bis Pole Sculpture by Asmat People
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 15
Bis Pole Sculpture by Asmat People
About the Item
A ritual artifact from the tribe of the Asmat poeple, an ethnic group of New Guinea living in the Papua province of Indonesia and South-western regions of Papua New Guinea, bis or bisj pole is carved out of a wild Mangrove tree and can reach a stunning height Their carvings depict stacked human and animal figures standing and on top always phallic symbols, in the shape of a canoe prow. Bis poles can be erected as an act of revenge, to pay homage to the ancestors, to calm the spirits of the deceased and to bring harmony and spiritual strength to the community.
On offer here is a bis pole sculpture, which may have been the top part of a much taller pole, it features an ancestor figure with a bird and a phallic wing like protrusion with a looped 8 pattern. Details such as, surface paint, scarification marks and ears suspending beaded cassowary feather render this piece a strong aesthetic presence.
It was reputably collected in the Papua province of Indonesia in 1973. There is an old ink collection number on the back as shown. Displayed on a custom made metal stand.
For a similar bis pole, see last two photos of the reference book page.
- Dimensions:Height: 40 in (101.6 cm)Width: 8 in (20.32 cm)Depth: 24 in (60.96 cm)
- Style:Tribal (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Pre 1970s
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Tribal art collected in field, wood cracks, minor chips and surface accumulations, black hair/fibers on one earring loss, areas of paint loss. See detail photos.
- Seller Location:Atlanta, GA
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU945013122601
About the Seller
4.9
Platinum Seller
Premium sellers with a 4.7+ rating and 24-hour response times
Established in 2006
1stDibs seller since 2010
542 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Atlanta, GA
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllYam Ancestor Figure TOTEM Pole Papua New Guinea with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
A yam ancestor TOTEM pole from the mid-Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea. Carved out of a solid wood by the Abelam people, who cultivated yams as their main crop, the pole featu...
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Carved Wood Aboriginal Shield, Western Australia
Located in Atlanta, GA
A tall and narrow parrying shield from the Aboriginal people living in the Western Australia. The piece was carved out of a single block of hard wood t...
Category
Early 20th Century Australian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
African Nigeria Epa Helmit Mask with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
An Epa helmet mask, Nigeria, Africa.
Fully carved mother and child; painted red and black with touches of white;
Provenance: The Children's Museum of Indianapolis; The Eiteljorg Mu...
Category
Vintage 1950s Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Lega Bwami Society Mask on Display Stand with Provenance
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is a Lega Bwami society wooden mask from the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was likely from the first half of the 20th century and an authentic in-field piece. The mask di...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Ashanti Maternal Fertility Figure
Located in Atlanta, GA
On offer is an Ashanti female fertility figure from Ghana, West Africa, circa Mid-20th century. Carved from a single block of wood, the statue depicts a female with typical coiffure ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Ghanaian Tribal Figurative Sculptures
Materials
Glass, Wood
$2,000 Sale Price
33% Off
Stunning Antique Burmese Architectural Pole on Display Stand
Located in Atlanta, GA
Served as an architectural pole in a Burmese temple in its previous life, this impressively large pole was carved out of a single trunk of teak wood and is now displayed as an object...
Category
Antique 19th Century Burmese Tribal Architectural Elements
Materials
Teak
You May Also Like
Monumental Oceanic Asmat People Carved Painted Wooden War Shield
Located in Forney, TX
A monumental, rare and important Oceanic Papuan Asmat People tribal carved war shield from the first half of the 20th century, collected from the coast of the headhunting tribe in Papua New Guinea, a Provincial Indonesian island in the mid 20th century.
Among the Asmat, war shields are the most powerful symbolic element of a warrior's equipment, and have many layers of meaning. Traditionally, they were functional items used to protect warriors in battle by deflecting an enemy's spears and arrows. The carved and painted images on the surface of the shields were also intended to frighten the enemy and symbolize the power of the ancestors.
Ancestral imagery appears on multiple forms of Asmat art...
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
19th Century Hammer Currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
19th century hammer currency, Ensuba, Bafia People, Cameroon
Sometimes referred to as potato masher currency, but known to the Bafia people as ensuba,...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Cameroonian Tribal Abstract Sculptures
Materials
Ceramic
Mid-20th Century Ceremonial Comb, Luba People, Zaire, D. R. Congo
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Ceremonial comb, Luba People, Zaire, D. R. Congo
Made of palm leaf midribs, this large, graphic comb has a pinched waist and is held together with finely wrapped wire. Presented o...
Category
Mid-20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wire
Antique Congolese African Tribal Carved Hemba Helmet Mask, Suku Peoples
Located in Forney, TX
A scarce antique African tribal carved Hemba helmet mask, the Suku peoples, possibly Kwese culture, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Central Africa, early 20th century, surmounted by four-legged animal, over round face, with mouth ajar and incised jagged teeth exposed, protruding almond shaped eyes, scattered remnants of pigment, full raffia fiber fringe, mounted on wood stand.
A superb museum quality example, this remarkable tribal folk art sculpture is a wonderful way to add rustic warmth, rich historical depth, and fascinating cultural interest to any space!
Dimensions: (approx)
Overall: 26" High, 9" Wide, 10.25" Deep;
Mask only: 15" Tall;
7 lbs total
Provenance / Acquisition:
Acquired from the highly reputable auction house, Austin Auction Gallery, est.1983, Austin, Texas.
Excellent Condition:
Nicely aged distressed patina over the whole. Highly desirable wear consistent with age and indicative of use, including scattered losses, antique character marks and typical signs of aging throughout. Retaining scattered remnants of original pigment. Overall a superb museum quality example
Primitive Arts Of Africa:
Among the Suku of the southwestern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, masks plays crucial role in protecting boys during initiation, the vulnerable period between boyhood and manhood. The power contained in Hemba masks...
Category
Early 20th Century Congolese Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Raffia, Wood
Early 20th Century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana 'Bambara' People, Mali
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Early 20th century Chiwara Headdress, Bamana (Bambara) People, Mali
Chiwara headcrests represent the antelope spirit who taught the Bamana people ...
Category
Early 20th Century Malian Tribal Mounted Objects
Materials
Wood
Tribal Early 20th Century Ceremonial Pipe, Bamoun People, Cameroon
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Tribal Early 20th Century Ceremonial Pipe, Bamoun People, Cameroon
A ceremonial tobacco pipe fashioned of hardened clay depicting three bearded men, the center figure with arms on c...
Category
Early 20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Tribal Artifacts
Vintage Wood Tree Stands
Indonesia Bird
Tall Book Stand
Metal Book Stands
Carved Ancestor Figure
Old Used Canoe
Vintage Wood Canoes
New Guinea Carvings
Mangrove Wood
New Guinea Figure
Papua New Guinea Carving
Painted Book Stack
Papua New Guinea Figure
Papua New Display Stands Guinea
New Guinea Artifacts
Asmat Art
Asmat Tribal