Canoe Prow Figure, Solomon Islands

James Robert Tyrrell (1875-1961), Tyrrell's Museum, Sydney, circa 1929

Beatrice Ethel Grimshaw (1870-1953), Bathurst, New South Wales

Galerie Serge Schoffel, Brussels

Private Collection, Paris, acquired from the above in January, 2013

BRAFA, Serge Schoffel, Brussels, January 19 - 27, 2013

Headhunting, an ancestral practice in the Solomon Islands, finds its most emblematic manifestation in the nguzu nguzu figureheads adorning the bow of war canoes. These pieces represent both the warior spirit and the spirituality of the inhabitants of these Melanesian islands.

These figureheads, carved in the characteristic dark wood of the Solomon Islands, feature the distinctive shape of an anthropo-zoomorphic face, with a protruding jaw reminiscent of a dog's snout. Crowned with a cone, their half-open mouths reveal fearsome teeth, while the hands clasped under the chin give the figure an aura of fierce determination. The large black surfaces, meticulously darkened, contrast with the mother-of-pearl inlays, creating a unique visual harmony that evokes the mystical power emanating from these boats. This contrast, a typical feature of the Solomon Islands' artistic tradition, gives the pirogue a concentration of mena, the magical power required to guarantee the success of war expeditions. The shell inlays, drawing on ancestral traditions, echo the warriors’ adornments and facial paintings.

Beyond their aesthetic appeal, nguzu nguzu have a deeper meaning. Their sensory faculties surpass those of a human, so that, once strapped to the bow of the boat, they can counter any malevolent spirit, including Kesoko, who is famous for causing mischief by diverting pirogues or stirring up the natural elements. The nguzu nguzu's dog-like features reflect this vital connection with the animal, helping to flush out enemies and anticipate danger.

This figurehead, originally from the James Robert Tyrrells collection and the museum bearing his name, Tyrell's Museum, in Sydney, later belonged to famous writer and world traveler Beatrice Grimshaw (1870-1953). This ornamentation for the bow of a pirogue features all the characteristic elements found in these objects. Beyond their purely ornamental function, they also embody the potency and protective power they were endowed with in the cultures of the Solomon Islands. The menacing aspect of the figure, with its half-open mouth revealing its teeth, is further emphasized by the small human skull it holds in its hands, reminding the viewer of the practice of headhunting. Whilst the face and upper arms are covered in the deep black characteristic of the nguzu nguzu, the upper part of the skull and lower arms display a worn patina, revealing the natural color of the wood - a testament to its age and intensive use.