Currency Mat Wafu
Torricelli Mountains, West-Sepik Province
Papua New Guinea
Esrly 20th Century
Wafu bride price payment from the Torricelli mountains of West Sepik are one of the most fascinating form of currency. Constituted of thousands of erased nasa shells fixed on palm spaths, enhanced with pigments (orange here) and binded together with orchid fibers, Poli mats were highly regarded forms of bride price payments and took numerous forms. On that particularly big example, I love the fabulous "eye" shape (can't be by chance!)
The Poli "eye" was previously owned by John and Marcia Friede and comes from Canadian dealer Marc Assayag. It has been originally field collected by Michael Hamson and dates from the early 20th century. It is in good condition and looks great on a wall or simply as a table centerpiece.
H: 53 cm (20 3/4 inches)
Price : 800 Euros
PRICE REDUCED: now 400 Euros (until 16 february 2021) enquiry