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The particularity and rarity of this "Tapak", in addition to its exceptional state of preservation, stems from the fact that it is carved with two faces on each of its sides, one male, the other female. Representing a couple of ancestors, seen at mid-body, arms at their sides, hands stylized on their stomachs. The finesse of the decoration, the delicacy of the gestures, the minute treatment of the facial features and the rarity of this double-faced typology distinguish this tapak. In the past, these tongs were used to hold a sago palm leaf folded in the shape of a gutter, which was used to extract the flour from the heart of the palm. Sago flour was a staple food in many parts of Papua New Guinea.
REGION : Papua New Guinea
MATERIAL : Wood
TIME: early 20th century
DIMENSION : 42,5 x 5,5cm
Ref: CLJNL79IKK