Description Oceania, southeast Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay Province, Trobriand Islands, Massim people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden splashboard known as a lagim meant to break the force of incoming waves upon the prow of a canoe. The tall, slender design features an L-shaped back pillar that supports the ornately carved frontal fin. Additionally, the fin surfaces are incised with sweeping curvilinear motifs that resemble abstract zoomorphs that are accentuated with white, black, and red pigment. Size: 11.25" W x 22.5" H (28.6 cm x 57.2 cm)
Another example of a lagim as well as additional information can be seen at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2009.502.9
Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in July 2007; ex-private Australian collection; ex-private Australian collection, acquired between the 1950s and 1990s
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#154758
Condition Report Light wear on surface commensurate with age including some small chips, nicks, and scratches. Paint has some small losses but generally the condition is good with pigment well preserved.