Description:

**Originally Listed At $500**

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, Iatmul speaking peoples, ca. mid 20th century CE. A fascinating and large dance mask known as a "tumbuan" featuring a sculpted clay face atop a woven rattan framework that flares outward to cover the shoulders. A grass skirt is sewn around the open base. The sculpted face is a rare touch as most are woven or carved from wood. Vertical stripes of white, black, and dark brown paint cover the rattan framework, while the face is painted with different browns and reds and features embedded cowrie shells around the eyes, eyebrows, cheeks, chin, and forehead. Masks of this kind represent a variety of characters in the rich spiritual world of Iatmul speakers - ancestors or animal spirits. Size (not including length of grass skirt): 17" W x 52.75" H (43.2 cm x 134 cm)

Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985

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#150838

  • Condition: Wear and deposits on surface commensurate with age, but the piece is in good condition and stands easily on its own. Some of the grass skirt is lost.

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March 26, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000