23" Agiba Skull Rack | Kerewa, Papua New Guinea | Ron Perry Provenance

3363-016

Offered for sale is an impressive 23.5-inch Agiba ancestor skull rack from the Papuan Gulf region of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Known traditionally as an Agiba (or Agibe), these powerful ritual carvings were created by the Kerewa people of Goaribari Island and the Kikori River Delta to serve as sacred dwellings for clan spirits and to display ancestral or trophy skulls. This striking example is hand-carved from a single piece of indigenous hardwood and features a highly stylized, anthropomorphic ancestor figure merging into two upward-pointing parallel prongs, decorated with low-relief incised patterns, natural earth pigments, and woven plant fiber accents.

The rack was field-collected by Ron Perry, a globally renowned expert and one of the most respected Pacific tribal art authorities of the 20th century. Beginning his expeditions in 1964, Perry spent over 40 years traveling by canoe up remote waterways and trekking unmapped terrains to collect authentic pieces directly from traditional clans. His credibility in the field is unmatched: following Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, the PNG National Cultural Council appointed him to manage Village Arts, their government-run indigenous artifact center. This is an outstanding display piece with excellent scale, striking concentric facial motifs, and authentic character, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.

Item Details:

Object: Ancestor Skull Rack (Agiba)

Culture: Kerewa People

Region: Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea

Period: Mid to Late 20th Century

Dimensions: 23.5" H × 9" W × 1.5" D (60 × 23 × 4 cm)

Materials: Indigenous hardwood, natural earth pigments (lime white, red ochre, charcoal), and woven plant fiber tassels

Provenance: Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection

Condition Note: This piece exhibits authentic, stable aging, beautiful native patination, and minor fiber wear consistent with age and/or traditional use. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.

This is available for local pick-up. Shipping can be available for this item. Please contact us for a custom quote or to make arrangements.