Cultural History In Focus | “The Korwar Collection of Henry Blekkink” by Karel Weener from Tribal Art Magazine

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 33.5 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar Z. Kust Biak.”

The Korwar Collection of Henry Blekkink

by Karel Weener

This article was generously provided by Tribal Art Magazine.
Special thank you to Karel Weener, Alex Arthur, and Noëlle Ghilain.

Tribal Art Magazine Spring 2012 Issue #63

The Korwar Collection of Henry Blekkink by Frans-Karel Weener Tribal Art Magazine Alex Arthur Pierre Moos Noëlle Ghilain

Korwar, Yapen Island, Cenderawasih Bay, western New Guinea. Wood, shell. H: 21 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar: Japen.”

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, western New Guinea. Wood. H: 19.5 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch.

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 19 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch.

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 26 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch.

Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 27 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. This Korwar is the only one to appear in the photograph from the Mamberamo Expedition. Photos © Jan van Esch. — Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 27 cm.
Private collection, The Netherlands. This Korwar is the only one to appear in the photograph from the Mamberamo Expedition. Photos © Jan van Esch.

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 30.5 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch.

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 29 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar van de Zuidkust van Biak (gr. eil.).”

Korwar, Padaido Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood, fabric. H: 37.5 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar van Meokwoendi Padaido - eil.”

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood, fabric. H: 36 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar Z. Kust Biak.

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood and fabric. H: 32 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Zielebeeld van Wongor Soerie = krokodil groeien Mokmeer a/d Zuidk. v. Biak.”

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 35 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar van Meok Woendi.”

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 38 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar Biak.”

Korwar, Yapen Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 22.5 cm. Private collection, France. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar: Japen.” — Korwar, Yapen Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood. H: 22.5 cm.
Private collection, France. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar: Japen.”

Korwar, Biak Island, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood, glass beads. H: 32 cm. Private collection, The Netherlands. Photo © Jan van Esch. Its label reads: “Korwar van de Zuidkust van Biak (gr. eil.).”

Korwar, Cenderawasih Bay, Western New Guinea. Wood and fabric. Private collection, USA. Its label reads: “Korwar van ..nga, doeber Zuidkust ...gr. eil., Biak.”

Karel Weener

Karel Weener studied archaeology in Leiden (Cum Laude, 2007) but specialized during his education in ethnohistory. Today he is an archaeologist who, in search of primary source material, carries out excavation work in archives. For the last twelve years he has examined the provenance and the historical background of ethnographic objects and collections.

Within this field of research he is concentrating on Oceania, (West) Papua, Southeast Asia, Protestant and Catholic missionary collections, and on collections which were collected during scientific and military exploratory expeditions.

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Disclaimer: Art of the Ancestors is a strictly non-commercial educational platform and has no vested interest or business relationship with Karel Weener. We do not take any responsibility for the content they publish; their opinions are their own.

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