Collection: Guy Spilers/Rene Van den Berghe (further information below)

Very rare male initiation figure with opposed hooks, framing a stylized face atop a slender body. Beautifully carved, the lower body includes hand on hips, above waist with long legs. Throughout New Guinea, a number of villages worked in what is known as the opposed-hooks style to adorn sacred figures, in which curved and pointed hooks are arranged on a vertical axis around a central design element. New Guinea, Middle Ramu and Upper Keram Rivers Basin, near Guam River entry, Misingi Village, Romkun culture, ca. mid-20th century. This is a rare and unique one of a kind Romkun male initiation figure Figure with beautiful patina and would be a wonderful addition to your collection. This is a stunning collectors piece. **note - has an old age crack along one leg but does not detract from the beautiful piece in anyway **

Close friends, Rene Vanden Berghe and Guy Spilers found themselves living a life of adventure they sought out and embraced. Born in Belgium just prior to WWII, they spent their youth under German occupation. After the war, the adventures continued with National Service in 1953-54 serving in an elite battalion: the para-commando platoon. After military service was over, Rene studied tropical agriculture and used a government grant to start a coffee plantation in the Belgian Congo where he only escaped by “the skin of his teeth” when he had to flee during the Lumumba Insurrection in 1961. He and Guy then emigrated to Australia where they secured employment as overseers for the Catholic Church Mission in New Ireland – running a plantation from 1962-72. Their knowledge, diligence and military training saw the plantation prosper despite tribal fights, earthquakes, riots and the occasional confrontation with axe and knife-wielding workers. Their practical skills were balanced by a love of art, photography and travel. A talented amateur photographer, Rene left an extensive collection of photographs of their experiences and travels. After leaving the plantation they traveled throughout Melanesia, French Polynesia and Micronesia, Europe, Asia and South America before settling in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. They collected tribal art pieces throughout their travels to inspire Rene’s love of painting and sculpture.

- STANDS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH ANY ITEM –

- Pictures make up part of the description -