A Bahinemo Cult hook, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea.
 
Of typical form, the hook made of characteristically very heavy wood (as authentic examples are supposed to be) with deeply concave form with four concentric opposing hooks around a raised area with tube-like eyes. Pigmented in red, yellow, black and white. Probably Mid-century.
 
Hook images such as the present example and known as Garra, were utilized in initiatory contexts and then kept for hunting and originally war success. Early examples are very rare and as traditional Bahinemo culture waned, the ceremonies and taboos regarding the making and use of traditional images was relaxed such that many more examples were created in the early 1960s, traditionally at first, and then for sale.
 
Rudi Ceaser, the field collector of this example collected extensively in this region and brought out many Garras that were later placed in a host of Museum and private collections.
 
Acquired from Rudi Ceaser - field collected C. 1970s.
 
Measures 40 inches tall x 8.5 inches wide.
Condition
Good, weathered