Willow Auction House to Feature Papua New Guinea Artifacts in Upcoming Sale

After his graduation from Harvard University, Louis Pierre Ledoux set out for Papua New Guinea. He planned to study the Murik people of the eastern Sepik River. Ledoux enjoyed the support of pioneering cultural anthropologist Margaret Mead throughout his travels. Willow Auction House’s upcoming sale will feature artifacts, documents, and photographs relating to Louis Ledoux’s travels through Papua New Guinea. Several traditional kamdimbong figures are on offer. These statues represent Murik ancestors, heroes, and mythical figures. One available kamdimbong has a masked face, pointed nose, loincloth, and fiber armband. 

Various carved masks from Papua New Guinea are also available. Sepik River masks are particularly recognizable for their long, sharp noses and spiral designs. The Kopar and Angoram people likely made several of the available masks to resemble spirits. These masks, along with a variety of anthropomorphic openwork figures, appeared in various ceremonies. Beyond artifacts, this auction will present Louis Ledoux’s unpublished manuscript and field notes. Bidders will also find photos and enlargements taken by Ledoux during his time with the Murik people. Find the full catalog and register to bid on LiveAuctioneers.