SEA Phallic Statuette

David · 22nd August 2014, 07:29 PM

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.

colin henshaw · 22nd August 2014, 08:29 PM

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 · 22nd August 2014, 10:08 PM

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/...2/korwar-style and the attached picture.

Regards,
Detlef

David · 23rd August 2014, 03:25 PM

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.

22nd August 2014, 07:29 PM	#1
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	SEA Phallic Statuette 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. Attached Images

22nd August 2014, 10:08 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,416	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/...2/korwar-style and the attached picture. Regards, Detlef Attached Images

22nd August 2014, 08:29 PM	#2
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,429	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.

23rd August 2014, 03:25 PM	#4
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,250	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.