Middle Sepik River 46" - 67" Hand-Carved Wood Ancestral Figures Group of 4 (c. 1960s-1970s). ... (Total: 4 Items)

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Sold on Nov 7, 2025 for:

$1,800.00 Bid Source: HA.com/Live bidder

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Middle Sepik River 46" - 67" Hand-Carved Wood Ancestral Figures Group of 4 (c. 1960s-1970s). Well documented in photos and personal accounts, Disney Legend and one of Walt's Nine Old Men, Marc Davis (1913 - 2000) procured an incredible personal collection of art and artifacts from the indigenous tribes of Papua New Guinea; from that collection comes this group of 4 hand-carved ancestral figures including a pair with the distinct colors and design of the Abelam culture. Davis once remarked that he believed some of his first exposure to Oceanic Art was in the late 1930s to early 1940s, later recognizing the styles he "most often admired came from New Guinea." Both already enthusiasts of Pacific art when they met, Marc and his equally acclaimed wife Disney Legend Alice Estes Davis vastly expanded their personal collection during their trips to Papua New Guinea in 1975 and again in 1978. Purchased during their trips, each item in this group was hand-carved from singular pieces of wood, created for sale by tribal artisans. The male and female Abelam culture figures measure 67" and 65" tall respectively with approximately widths and depths of 9" x 8" and 15.5" x 5.5" both exhibiting still-vibrant ochre hand-painted detail. The remaining pair of plinth-mounted figures both feature shell inlay and hand-woven fiber elements accenting their hand-painted detail with the female figure measuring 46.5" tall (13" x 13" x 22" plinth) and the figure with the bird measuring 50.5" tall (14" x 14" x 20"). Said to be representations of ancestral spirits and totemic beings, ancestral figures traditionally were ornately decorated and kept in the men's ceremonial houses. These large pieces were displayed in the Davis home from the time of their acquisition until Alice's passing in 2022; some of them can be found in images seen on the D23 website from both the 2017 Marc Davis in His Own Words panel slideshow and an exclusive interview with Alice Davis (prints included for reference). With expected handling and wear including age-related oxidation of the wood, natural imperfections, surface debris/wear from display, cracks, and some scratches/chipping, overall this incredible group is in Fair to Good condition. Due to size and/or weight, special shipping arrangements will apply.
From Disney Legend Inductees - The Marc and Alice Davis Archive.

Auction Info

2025 November 7 - 10 Celebrating 70 Years of Disneyland - Featuring the Marc and Alice Davis Archive Part II Animation Art Signature® Auction #7393 (go to Auction Home page)

Auction Dates

November, 2025

7th-10th Friday-Monday

Bids + Registered Phone Bidders: 18

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Sold on Nov 7, 2025 for: $1,800.00

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