43" Upper Sepik Ancestral House Board Panel | Washkuk/Kwoma, Papua New Guinea | Ron Perry Provenance

3363-003

Offered for sale is an impressive 43-inch ancestral house board panel from the Upper Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Historically hand-carved by the Washkuk and Kwoma peoples, these flat architectural panels served as sacred decorative elements mounted inside or on the gables of the clan's ceremonial longhouse (Haus Tambaran). Unlike handheld battle shields, these panels feature a completely smooth reverse side with no handle or strap, engineered to be fixed flat against the structural timbers of the ceremonial house.

House boards function as highly sacred visual registers of clan history and cosmology. The relief carvings project protective ancestral presence and totem power over the community, serving to safeguard the village and the initiates within the longhouse. This large, powerful example is hand-carved from a single piece of indigenous hardwood and features highly stylized, mirrored ancestor spirit faces merging into symmetrical geometric and crescent shapes. The surface is masterfully decorated with traditional earth pigments and bordered by a striking, continuous serrated frame.

The house board 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 symmetry, and authentic character, making it an exceptional addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.

Item Details:

• Object: Ancestral House Board Panel (Architectural Carving)

• Culture: Washkuk / Kwoma

• Region: Upper Sepik River, Papua New Guinea

• Period: Mid to Late 20th Century

• Dimensions: 43" H × 17.5" W × 1.5" D (109.2 × 44.5 × 3.8 cm)

• Materials: Indigenous hardwood, natural earth pigments (ochre, clay, charcoal)

• Provenance: Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection

Condition Note: This piece exhibits authentic, stable aging, beautiful native patination, and minor surface wear consistent with age and/or traditional architectural use. The reverse is completely smooth and structurally sound for flat wall mounting. 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.