Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River, ca. mid 20th century CE. A wonderful carved-wooden ancestor mask featuring four highly stylized zoomorphic creatures. Skillfully carved and intricately incised, the top displays an avian visage angled downward with an anthropomorphic smiling mouth, a curved beak, and huge expressive eyes, all beneath a pair of rounded ears and a widow's-peak hairline. Below the curious countenance is a chick-like figure showcasing an elongated neck, a triangular beak, and enormous, target-motif eyes, as it reaches for an ovoid object held between the beak and mouth of the head at the top. A smaller zoomorphic figure, who appears both reptilian and avian, bites at the chick's posterior and stands upon the lengthy snout of a crocodile-like creature, presenting with narrowed eyes and jagged teeth. The area between the head of the feeding figure and that of the crocodile is decorated by a skillfully incised band of a geometric design. Size: 5"" W x 15.75"" H (12.7 cm x 40 cm); 19.75"" H (50.2 cm) on included custom stand.

The bird is likely a hornbill, an aggressive species revered for its strength. These eccentric visages all likely represent ancestor or guardian spirits that were watching over the household. A beautiful patina covers the maroon-painted surface, and this mask may have been placed in a home for protection.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#141567

  • Condition: Collection label on base. Restored with clay on small area of top. Expected nicks/chips and abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise excellent with rich patina and liberal remains of pigment.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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