Asmat Figure-Jac Hoogerbrugge Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
As a keen observer of the Oceanic art market, I have to say Asmat material, especially figures, are underappreciated and undervalued. Similarly, to Abelam figurative art, there is an excess of later, hardly inspiring material that unfortunately drags down the older, better pieces—which for both the Abelam and the Asmat, can be some of the best sculpture in the South Pacific. I absolutely love this present figure originally collected along New Guinea’s southern Casuarina Coast by Jac Hoogerbrugge circa 1970. It is both archaic and amazingly creative. Look at the fierceness of the expression and the lovely composition of the body as seen in profile. I’ve attached two of Hoogerbrugge’s sketches of the figure from his notes where he remarked on its “special bird-tail back.” Here is the (LINK) to read more about Hoogerbrugge written by Raymond Corbey in our PROVENANCE section. As with virtually all old Asmat figures, the nose is pierced, the mouth open with aggressive teeth and tongue extended and there are nice remains of red pigments. The figure dates to the mid 20th century, is ex. Michel Thieme, Amsterdam, is 27” (68.6 cm) in height. SOLD