This large PNG sculpture was acquired in a remote Middle Sepik River village by Ben Ruhe in 1990. This is not an airport art item. This item is called a "Song 'Gol Hook Figure" and is made primarily by the Somariup speaking people on the Wogupmeri River. These are usually made from copies of very old objects found in caves and made by the ancestors of the contemporary peoples. They were believed to assist in hunting and warfare and even to cure illness. These were group (not individual) welfare charms. This statue was found in a village man's home and the man said it was used for periodic secret rituals. This statue was made out of a heavy, light colored hard wood and stained with a dark pigment. This is a minor masterpiece, a museum-quality piece and unusual for being in such good condition, considering the delicacy of the carving. There is a glue repair to the attachment of the head to the body. Length = 90 cm ; Weight = 1356 gm

Because of the size of this figure, it may be difficult and/or expensive to ship this item overseas.