Papuan Gulf, Papua New Guinea Early 20th Century

Provenance: ex-Eric Frrow, San Francisco

This is a fine old bark belt with a complete figure engraved at the apex and beyond delicate geometric motifs cover the whole lenghth of the belt. It is made of a single strip of thick bark heat-treated to form a springy coil. Such belts are worn only by initiated men. As a man advances into higher ritual knowledge and status, his bark belt reflects this journey.

Mounted on a metal support stand.