{"product_id":"32-sepik-river-ancestral-mask-tambanum-village-iatmul-papua-new-guinea-ron-perry-provenance-copy","title":"40\" Sepik River Ancestral Food Suspension Hook | Iatmul, Papua New Guinea | Ron Perry Provenance","description":"\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e3363-010\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOffered for sale is an impressive 40-inch ancestral food suspension hook from the Middle Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Known traditionally as a \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSamban\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e hook, these functional and ceremonial carvings were created by the Iatmul people to hang food baskets and sacred bundles, utilizing ancestral spirit power to protect provisions from pests and malicious spirits.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis powerful example is hand-carved from a single piece of indigenous hardwood and features a prominent ancestral face (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003esavvi\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e or \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003emwai\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e) with large, stylized concentric eyes that transitions down into a full-bodied female ancestor figure and a curved bottom hook. The entire structure is decorated with traditional face-painting motifs rendered in natural earth pigments and framed by hanging natural plant fiber accents.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe hook 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 sculptural lines, and authentic character, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eItem Details:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eObject:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Ancestral Food Suspension Hook (\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSamban\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCulture:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Iatmul\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVillage:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Tambanum Village\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRegion:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Middle Sepik River, Papua New Guinea\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Mid to Late 20th Century\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 40\" H × 7\" W × 2.5\" D (101.6 × 17.8 × 6.4 cm)\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMaterials:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Indigenous hardwood, natural earth pigments (ochre, clay, charcoal), and natural plant fiber\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\" role=\"presentation\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCondition Note:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis is available for local pick-up. Shipping can be available for this item. Please contact us for a custom quote or to make arrangements. \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Adventure Room","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44808443068509,"sku":"3363-010","price":425.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0673\/1222\/2301\/files\/3363_010a.jpg?v=1785267758","url":"https:\/\/theadventureroom.com\/products\/32-sepik-river-ancestral-mask-tambanum-village-iatmul-papua-new-guinea-ron-perry-provenance-copy","provider":"Adventure Room","version":"1.0","type":"link"}