Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, East Sepik, Abelam, ca. mid 20th century CE. A dramatic, massive mask made of bark stretched over a wooden frame, decorated with a dramatic mane of long rattan around its edges. The center of the mask is decorated with cassowary feathers in a line from the forehead to the tip of the long, trunk-like nose. Woven twigs form a dense border around the edges of the mouth, while thin strips of bark create patterns on the face as well as ringing the eyes. Alternating white and black pigment gives the face a tattooed appearance. Masks like this one are created for festivals surrounding the cherished yam, the crucial crop of the Abelam people of northeast Papua New Guinea - they have traditionally been used to adorn the heads of huge tubers, rather than humans. Size: 17" W x 32" H (43.2 cm x 81.3 cm)

Provenance: private Renton, Washington, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.

#138276

  • Condition: Rattan is in delicate condition and partially lost. Bark is partially separated from the center of the face. The pigment is in very nice condition, as are the details of the face.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

December 6, 2018 7:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 24.5% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

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 $2,000
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000