SEA Phallic Statuette

[David]

Can anyone help me put a cultural ID on this little statue. It is about 10 inches high and carved of a rather light and soft wood. No master carving here, obviously something done quickly for tourists, but it was cheaper than lunch so i couldn't resist. :) The story around it is that it was a bring-back from the Philippines (WWII), which i don't doubt, but the motifs in the carving are not familiar to me for that area and look perhaps more Dayak. :shrug:

[colin henshaw]

Its an ancestor figure from North West New Guinea, Geelvink Bay area (now part of Indonesian territory), called a "Korwar"

Your example doesn't look very old however, so perhaps a made for tourists item.

[Sajen]

Hello David,

agree complete with Colin, a Korwar similar carving made for tourists from the Geelvink Bay, use google and you will find many Korwar figures. There are many fakes because the real ones are very expensive. See also here: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/322592/korwar-style and the attached picture.

Regards,
Detlef

[David]

Thanks guys, that's very specific and just what i wanted to hear. Yes, i knew it didn't look Filipino as the original owner suggested, the motifs weren't right. And yes Colin, as i already stated, it is quite obviously a tourist item. Thanks again for the quick ID. :)