WHILE THIS PRICE WAS WAY OUT OF MY CLASS IT WAS NOT TOO HIGH IF YOU LOOK AT THE ETHINOGRAPHIC ART (INVESTMENT ) MARKET. THIS IS AN EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLE AND THE FORM IS A BIT DIFFERENT FROM THE USUAL FORMS. THE SIZE OF THE HEAD IS LARGER THAN USUAL, THE CARVING IS EXCELLENT, THE PATINA GOOD AND THERE IS PROVENANCE NOT TO MENTION THE FINE MARINE IVORY INLAY IN THE HEAD. ALL IN ALL A MUSEUM QUALITY PIECE WITH MINIMAL DAMMAGE TO THE HANDLE END.
THIS QUALITY DOES NOT SHOW UP ON EBAY OFTEN AND SELDOM ON SOTHBYS OR CHRISTIES AUCTIONS WHERE IT WOULD PROBABLY HAVE WENT HIGHER. YOU MIGHT WANT TO WATCH AND SEE IF IT SHOWS UP AT ONE OF THE BIG AUCTION HOUSES AND SEE WHAT IT SELLS FOR THERE.
IF I WERE A RICH MAN YADDA YADDA YADDA, IF I WERE A VERY RICH MAN!!
