Top of a grade post, Vanuatu Islands - Lot 71

Top of a grade post, Vanuatu Islands Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 92 cm Provenance : Renaud Vanuxem Collection, Paris Private collection, Paris ---- Top of grade post, Vanuatu Islands Early 20th century Carved wood Height: 92 cm Provenance : Renaud Vanuxem Collection, Paris Private collection, Paris We learn of the role of this pole from La Korrigane's expedition to the south-west of Malekula Island at the end of May 1935, and from Rhô's field notes, who served as guide during his stay in the New Hebrides (present-day Vanuatu). It is said to be "a Temes human representation. The forehead, eyes, nose and chin are sculpted in relief, while the mouth is recessed. The belly, hips and sex are represented from the front, the arms very short, the legs and feet in profile. This Temes is home to the soul of the ancestor to whom the natives offer pig sacrifices during festivals." This Temes post is carved in a style similar to that of a grade sculpture collected in the neighbouring village of Buliesse and currently preserved at the Musée du Quai Branly MQB.71.1961.103.12 (Coiffier, 2001: 109). Such stone sculptures also existed, as shown in a sketch by Régine van Broek. Ethnologist Bernard Deacon (1934) has particularly documented this type of ritual object. --- It was at the expedition of La Korrigane in the south-west of the island of Malekula at the end of May 1935 and at the field sheets of Rhô which served as a guide during the stay in the New Hebrides (present-day Vanuatu), that we learn the role of this pole which would be "a human representation Temes. The forehead, eyes, nose and chin are sculpted in relief, the mouth is hollow. The belly, the hips and the sex are represented from the front, the arms very short, the legs and feet in profile. This Temes is the habitat of the soul of the ancestor to which the natives offer pig sacrifices during the holidays." This T-M post is sculpted in a style similar to that of a grade sculpture collected in the neighbouring village of Buliesse and currently held at the Musée du Quai Branly MQB.71.1961.103.12 (Coiffier, 2001: 109). There were also such stone carvings as shown by a sketch of Régine van Broek. The ethnologist Bernard Deacon (1934) particularly documented this type of ritual object. Eroded wood, old cracks, notably deeper at the lower lip and down to the left arm. Numerous cracks, back showing classic, traditional and ancient erosion. A few chips on the entire surface. Eroded wood, age-old cracks, especially deeper at the lower lip and down to the left arm. Many cracks, back showing a beautiful classic erosion, traditional and old. A few gaps on the entire surface.