NEW CALEDONIA. - Lot 100

NEW CALEDONIA. Earth, plant fibers, wood, pigments. Model representing a sacred Pilou Pilou closing dance, a reference to traditional Kanak propitiation ceremonies in which songs, incantations and dances took part in consort. At the center of the platter is a ceremonial pole representing the deceased among the living and, according to Maurice LEENHARDT, "the dancing body". Around this central pole revolve ten dancers carrying clubs and spears, and six seated musicians who mark the cadence. Although it cannot be formally attributed or dated, we can assume that this model is one of those made on the island of Nou, over 120 years ago. This model was probably made by a convict named Alexandre GÉRARD at the request of a European. The best-known models are those made at the request of Léon COLLIN, a doctor sentenced to deportation to Ile des Pins and then to forced labor on Ile Nou, where the convict Alexandre GÉRARD was serving his sentence. Base dimensions: 31 x 23 cm. Post height: 23.5 cm. H. dancers: Between 10 cm and 14 cm. Height of female musicians: 7 cm to 8.5 cm. (accidents and missing parts). Note: The word pilou seems to derive from philu, meaning "to dance by stamping one's feet" in one of New Caledonia's languages. Provenance: MOEVUS Loches collection. By descent. Expert : Christian NJIENSI