Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik River region, Iatmul peoples, ca. mid-20th century CE. A hand-built mask with a clay face lined with dozens of petite cowrie snail shells. The face boasts thick layers of yellow, red, white, and brown pigment that emphasize the expressive visage, and the pierced septum holds a pair of curved boar tusks. The wearable area of the helmet mask is composed of multiple strands of tightly-woven reeds that are painted with a dark-brown pigment, and the lengthy beard is formed from thin strands of raffia. Size: 11" W x 13.5" H (27.9 cm x 34.3 cm); 16.25" H (41.3 cm) on included custom stand.

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

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#147682

  • Condition: Area of nose and tusks reattached to face, with small chips along break lines. Small losses to periphery of face, parts of raffia coiffure, and reed helmet, with fading to original pigmentation, and several stable fissures. Nice earthen deposits and traces of original pigment throughout.

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November 14, 2019 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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