$100 - $200
Group of 3 Abelam Yam harvest Spinning Tops, Papua New Guinea. Carved and engraved coconut husk and natural pigment. Group of 3 Yam Harvest Spinning Tops with dark encrusted patina consistent with age and cultural use. Cf: At planting or at harvest time, some of the villages spin ceremonial tops carved from coconut shells. The concave surface is decorated with stylized flower and other geometric designs. Sometimes these are coloured with clay pigments or school chalk. As noted by Carolyn Leigh and Ron Perry, they were told in one village that tops are spun by opposing clans across a playing field in the plaza. Each side tries to knock off the other’s tops while still keeping their own spinning. The side whose tops spin the farthest will have the longest vines and the biggest yams at harvest. When not in use, the short sticks are removed and the tops strung together on kanda vine and hung up in the eaves of the house. Similar tops used in a harvest ceremony are illustrated in fig. 48 in Margaret Mead’s book on the Abelam’s neighbors, the Mountain Arapesh. “Art-Pacific (Carolyn Leigh - Ron Perry): Guide to Artifacts”. Approx Largest 9cm. PROVENANCE John Magers Collection, Sydney.
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
24.20% inc GST*
Online and Autobids:
24.2% inc GST*
