Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East New Britain Province, Gazelle Peninsula, Uramot / Kairak Baining culture, ca. first half of the 20th century CE. A hand-built barkcloth helmet mask of a dramatic form with an abstract avian form. The flared headpiece boasts a pair of circular eyes, one with half of a wooden reinforcement loop, and a tall forehead with a shallow central crest. The parted beak rests in front of the open neck, and intricate linear and geometric motifs are presented across the composition in red and black hues atop the cream-colored cloth. Known locally as a "kavat sowelmat," masks like this example were created for use in ritual ceremonies of funerary, birthing, and initiation contexts. Size: 20" W x 36" H (50.8 cm x 91.4 cm).

For a stylistically-similar example, please see The Metropolitan Museum of Art, accession number 2005.460.1: https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/319542

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

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#147709

  • Condition: Loss to one reinforcement loop in eye as shown. Light fraying to some areas of barkcloth, with light fading to original pigmentation. Light earthen deposits throughout, and nice remains of original pigment.

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July 25, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
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