Tami Island Canoe Bailer-Jolika Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Here is a very old Huon Gulf canoe bailer probably from the large volcanic Umboi Island or across the rough strait in West New Britain. It has a wonderful expressive face with wide-open eyes, pierced nose and toothy mouth with projecting tongue. The bailer is by far the best example I have ever seen and is ex. Ben Birillo Collection, New York and ex. Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede. It is illustrated in my 2016 catalog “Between the Known and Unknown: New Guinea Art from Astrolabe Bay to Morobe” as fig. 82. The bailer dates to the late 19th century, is 23 ¼” (59.0 cm) in length and sells for $4800.