Hand-Carved Sepik River Story Board Papua New Guinea Bell Collection

This intricately hand-carved wooden story board from Papua New Guinea depicts a lively village scene filled with stylized ancestral figures, fish, and sago palms—symbols central to life along the Sepik River. Carved in deep relief and highlighted with traditional white lime pigment, the composition reflects the distinctive artistic traditions of the Sepik peoples, whose carvings often recount clan histories, creation stories, or aspects of daily life.

The numerous human figures appear engaged in communal activities, while fish and water motifs reference the river that sustains the region's villages. The repeated oval and geometric patterns are typical Sepik decorative elements, emphasizing both movement and spiritual significance.

Storyboards such as this became highly sought after by collectors during the second half of the twentieth century. Although created for the art market, they faithfully preserve the visual language of Sepik ceremonial carving and make striking wall displays.

A beautifully carved example of Oceanic tribal art, displaying the rich symbolism and remarkable craftsmanship for which the Sepik River region is renowned.

One note: this piece is not an authentic traditional ritual object used in ceremonies. It is a decorative "storyboard" made by Sepik artists, most likely between the 1960s and 1980s, specifically for sale to collectors and tourists. These works are nevertheless hand-carved by local artists and are widely collected as examples of Papua New Guinea's celebrated carving tradition.

Provenance:

Gail Bell was a world traveler all of her life, having visited every continent on the planet. Along the way, she collected a plethora of art. She was director of many museums throughout her career, including the Mizel Museum and the St Louis Art Museum, where she was education director.

Adorned with wall mounts on the back for easy hanging and display.