Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Abelam peoples, ca. early 20th century CE. A colorful, hand-carved, wooden ancestral mask of an elongated ovoid form, and presenting a stylized anthropomorphic face. The rounded visage protrudes outward from the rest of the panel, and features painted half-circle eyes and yellow, red, black, and white patterns. The visage is divided by a narrow nasal ridge that ends above a thin, incised mouth. Atop and below the face are wide panels decorated with radiating triangular shapes painted in the same polychrome hues. This mask was created to celebrate the sacred yam harvest and was worn by dancers. Sometimes these masks were considered too powerful and were discarded in the jungle after the ceremonies! Size: 29" L x 9.75" W (73.7 cm x 24.8 cm)

Provenance: private Englewood, Colorado USA collection; ex-Komer Gallery, New York City, New York, USA circa 1965

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#160612

  • Condition: Chips and losses to peripheries. Surface abrasions and fading of pigments. Stable hairline fissures and inactive insect holes. Modern hook for mounting and metal label plaque on verso.

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February 25, 2021 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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