Inventory no.: 2934

Sepik Penis Sheaf or Cover

SOLD

Carved Coconut Shell Penis Cover

Upper Sepik, New Guinea

late 19th century

length: 14.5cm

This penis cover or sheath comprises a small, carved, elongated coconut shell; and a woven rattan and coconut bark shaft decorated with two rows of filed cowrie shells.

The coconut shell is elaborately carved with typically Sepik-type motifs: curled lines, oval shapes, and long striations. It comes to a point beneath which there is a drilled aperture.

A related cover in the Barbier-Mueller Collection is illustrated in Peltier & Morin (2007, p. 309). Another, very similar example but with perhaps less obvious age and wear, comprised lot 253 in Sotheby’s New York sale ‘African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art’ of November 17, 2006.

According to Peltier & Moran (p. 438) penis sheaths of coconut shell were reserved for men of the highest level of initiation,

komaptam, and perhaps were worn in the past only by successful headhunters.

The example here has excellent patina and signs of age and use. The surface of the coconut has a shiny lustre from handling and wear. The rattan and cowrie shells also have a fine patina.

References

Peltier, P. & F. Morin, Shadows of New Guinea: Art from the Great Island of Oceania in the Barbier-Mueller Collections, Somogy, 2007.

Sotheby’s New York, ‘African, Oceanic & Pre-Columbian Art’, November 17, 2006.

Provenance:

private collection, Guernsey.

Inventory no.: 2934

SOLD