A Rare Bahinemo Cult hook, Hunstein Mountains, eastern Sepik province, Papua New Guinea.
 
Carved from a characteristically very heavy wood of deeply concave form with four concentric opposing hooks around a raised area with stalk-like eyes. Pigmented in red, black and white colors. 
 
Probably early to 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 1960’s, 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. This example was acquired from Rudi Caesar - field collected C. 1974. *see collection number painted on the back. 
 
The Hook measures 26 inches tall x 8 inches wide, carved from heavy dense wood.