New Ireland Archaic “Double” Figure “Kulap” marker sculpture, chalk stone, late 19th-early 20th century.

Hand-carved with great old patina, an authentic old Oceania work of art rarely offered to the collecting marketplace

Dimensions: 12 inches high

Provenance: Our private collection , we originally collected this one in Australia in 1998 as part of a rare collection of eight kulaps. These were field collected in New Ireland and eventually brought to Australia. Guaranteed genuine.

About Kulap

Kulap figurines of limestone or chalk were made in Melanesia and were markers and symbols of beliefs of that time. The figurines were found in an intact form in the nineteenth century. However, as Christianity took roots in these islands, the belief system for Kulap figures vanished. Particularly when the Australian administration of New Ireland was established in 1914, the ritual practice ceased to exist. However, during the colonial rule, the figurines were sold to Westerners for their cultural value. The earliest recorded history of these figures was provided by Reverend George Brown during his visit to an area on the west coast at Patpatar of southern New Ireland where the language spoken was Hinsal. Brown had noted that these figures were kept in a large, painted, corner house, which was well maintained on protected land. The building had kept two, large, painted human figures (one large male figure and the other smaller but not intended for worship) inferred to be linked to some kind of superstition as people danced in front of the figures.

Lifetime guarantee of authenticity: All of our works of art come with our Lifetime Authenticity Guarantee.
Our gallery based in Shelburne, Vermont USA has been dealing in authentic Tribal, Japanese , Chinese, and fine Asian art, garden ornaments, lanterns and water basins for 25 years. The president personally travels to Oceania, China, Japan and Europe each year to meet his network partners who assist him in finding best examples. He personally inspects each antique work of art to ensure its old age, authenticity and quality condition.