Gable Figure, Malakula Island, Malampa Province, Vanuatu

Lynda Cunningham, New York, acquired in the 1970s

Very good condition overall with wear consistent with use. Some losses in places to the base and projecting top element, visible in the catalogue illustration; typical for these objects, as are the scattered minor losses in places to the somewhat friable surface.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

"As in much of Melanesia, the center of male social and religious life among the Big Nambas people of northwestern Malakula is, or was, the amèl, or men’s house. In former times, each village had one or more amèl, which served as meeting places and for the storage of ancestral skulls, magic stones, and other sacred objects. The façade of the the amèl was triangular, consisting of a single gable supported by a central ridgepole […] The peak of the gable was surmounted by the p’naret, an imposing gable ornament carved from fern wood and attached to the end of the ridgepole. Depicting the founding ancestor of the amèl, the p’naret was positioned horizontally, allowing the ancestor to gaze down at the entrance. As each man entered or left, he was scrutinized by the watching ancestor, who could inflict supernatural punishment on individuals who were unauthorized to enter or who had committed breaches of customary law. Each p’naret portrays a specific founding ancestor. The imagery however […] appears almost abstract. The back of the head, invisible from the ground, was typically adorned with a stylized animal, reportedly representing a dog or lizard." (Kjellgren, Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, 2007, p. 184).