Kanak planting figure, New Caledonia - Lot 76

Kanak planting figure, New Caledonia 19th century Carved wood, brown-red patina Height : 66 cm Provenance : Ferrandin Collection, Paris Renaud Vanuxem Collection, Paris French private collection --- Figure to plant Kanak, New Caledonia 19th century Carved wood, red brown patina Height: 66 cm Source: Ferrandin Collection, Paris Renaud Vanuxem Collection, Paris French private collection In addition to the iconographic and stylistic rarity of this Kanak planting figure, the rough, bold treatment of the composition is magnified by the superb honey-colored patina, glossed in places. The anthropozoomorphic figure emerges, in the round, at the end of the handle, which has retained traces of an old label with an inventory number. The angular treatment of the volumes, underlined by the visible marks of the tool that shaped the wood, lends the piece a striking expressiveness and sculptural vigor. Beneath the tiara-crowned forehead, the nasal appendage, long and curved like a bird's beak, projects forcefully into the space above the half-open mouth and beard collar. The skull is topped by a high, pointed crest, adding balance and verticality to the composition. Anthropomorphic planting sculptures, partially buried at the entrance to dwellings, affirmed their owner's rank and prestige, while also playing a role in rain invocation rites. The rarity, both iconographic and stylistic, of this Kanak planting figure is further emphasized by the raw and bold treatment of the composition, enhanced by the superb honey-colored patina, polished in places. The anthropo-zoomorphic figure emerges in high relief at the end of the handle, which still bears the traces of an old label with an inventory number. The angular treatment of the volumes, highlighted by visible marks from the tools used to shape the wood, imparts a striking expressiveness and sculptural vitality to the whole. Beneath the forehead crowned with a diadem, the long, curved nasal appendage, resembling a bird's beak, projects forcefully into space, directly above the small slightly open mouth and the collar of the beard. The skull is topped with a tall crest, tapering to a point, contributing to the balance and verticality of the composition. Anthropomorphic planting sculptures, partially buried at the entrance of dwellings, asserted the rank and prestige of their owner while playing a role in rain invocation rites. Slight hole on the upper part, a few missing pieces on the back, traces of rubbing. Bright patina, traditional wear and rubbing. The tip of the nose is missing. An old inventory label appears. --- On the upper part a slight hole, some gaps at the back, traces of friction. Glossy patina, wear and tear. The end of the nose is missing. An old inventory label appears.