Louis Ledoux: Papua New Guinea Collection
By Willow Auction House
Nov 16, 2021
2 Frassetto Way Lincoln Park, NJ 07035, United States

Adventurer, Academic, Industrialist: Louis Pierre Ledoux 1936 New Guinea Expedition


In early 1936, on recommendation by American anthropologist Margaret Mead, Louis Pierre Ledoux, recent Harvard University graduate, headed to the lower eastern Sepik River of Papua New Guinea to study the Murik people.


The results of his self-funded expedition is an extraordinary collection of hundreds of artifacts, photographs, manuscripts, diaries, and letters left untouched for 85 years.

More details
The auction has ended

LOT 83:

Lower Sepik River Figure, Kandimbong

catalog
  Previous item
Next item 

Start price:
$ 10,000
Estimated price :
$20,000 - $30,000
Buyer's Premium: 28% More details
tags:

Lower Sepik River Figure, Kandimbong

Lower Sepik River Figure, male ancestor Kandimbong, with headdress and mask-like face, geometric design on back of neck, and wearing original mal or loin-cloth.

In his Diary page 163 (lot 108 box F1), Ledoux may have been referring to this particular figure when he writes: "Collected a malita (pidg.) or NUMARUKIRAR. First scratched a bit ..., then given to woman to make her like you....Collected small figures. One male one to put on canoe bow with food offerings to make the canoe go well....little figures remain on the shore but a big one with a mal goes along in the stern of the canoe. These are also called Kandimbong ... "

Locale: Lower Sepik River
Country: Papua New Guinea


Date: 1936 or earlier
Material: Wood, fiber
Dimensions: H12 1/2"
Technique: Carved

Provenance: Louis Pierre Ledoux Collection

 

 



catalog
  Previous item
Next item