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Description: This is a soft cover book titled CROCODILE AND CASSOWARY -- RELIGIOUS ART OF THE UPPER SEPIK RIVER, NEW GUINEA by Douglas Newton. Published by The Museum of Primitive Art, New York, distributed by New York Graphic Society, Greenwich, Connecticut, copyright and dated 1971, presumed first soft cover edition, 112 pages.

From the back: "The Sepik River area of New Guinea has long been celebrated for the rich artistic productivity of its inhabitants; some of its styles are among the best-known created by the peoples of the Pacific islands. Much of the Sepik area, however, has only becomes accessible during the last 20 years (as of publication date 1971), and the arts of these regions have remained obscure until very recently."

"Crocodile and Cassowary (so named for the two most important totemic and mythological creatures of the Sepik area) is based on the author's field-work in New Guinea during 1967."

"The book is a survey of the religious art -- including architecture, paintings, wood and ceramic sculpture -- of a relatively unknown region along and around the upper Sepik River. It describes the cults, mostly relating to fertility and warfare, of a number of small tribes: the Yeragei, the Bahinemo, the Nggala, the Wogumas, the Manambu, the Kwoma and the Nukuma. Accounts of the history and mythology of the tribes are included."

"The many types of objects associated with the cults are detailed and illustrated, from field photographs and unpublished examples in museum and private collections. Douglas Newton is Curator of The Museum of Primitive Art."

The book has 189 black-and-white photographs and illustrations. Highlights include: finial carvings and slit gongs; masks; basketry decorations; ceremonial houses; carved beams; bark painting designs; canoe prows; staffs; gong beaters; decorated poles; clay heads; shield; ceiling paintings; yinas; mindjas; carved figures; clay vessels, etc.

Book concludes with Notes and Bibliography. Book measures 8 1/2" by 10 1/2".

Excellent book on the artifacts of the Pacific Islands region.

Condition: Fair and good condition, coming from a smoke-free, pet-free environment. Binding intact (glue shows at hinges), pages intact (pages and book edges have tanned due to age, soiling spots to book edges, neatly penned name on front endpage), covers have much general wear (corner, spine and edge wear, darkening of edges and spine, darker dampstains to front foreedge, soiling and sticker residue, surface wear, front lowwer corner is creased).

Shipping: Domestic winner to pay $3.75 Media Mail or $5.05 Priority Mail Flat Rate Envelope shipping. Shipping to Hawaii and Alaska may be more than quoted. Optional insurance is extra ($1.70 for coverage up to $50; $2.15 for coverage up to $100, etc.). Seller cannot be responsible for packages that are not insured. International winner pays Priority International Flat Rate Envelope Mail at $11.00 for Mexico and Canada, or $13.00 for all other countries. Please note: First Class International Mail and Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelope are sent at buyer's own risk as these methods are not trackable, nor insurable. Priority Mail International Boxes can be tracked and are insured. International Surface Mail is no longer available.

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Terms: Payment must be received within 10 days of auction close.

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