Lot 163C
Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A massive wood and fiber dance mask crafted from cane and other vegetal fibers, woven into panels and stitched over a sturdy wooden framework. The upper portion forms a domed, basket-like headpiece that extends into a tall, tapering headdress panel, creating a dramatic vertical silhouette. Along the lower edge hangs a mask panel or flap, its chin trimmed with twisted cotton cords that drape downward like a beard. The facial features are bold, with a pronounced nose pierced by wooden septum ornaments and open eye holes edged with bushy eyebrows made from cassowary feathers. Additional feathers accentuate the edge of the projecting headdress, while the elongated panel suggests a crocodile's snout, complete with small wooden pegs along the edges evoking teeth. Such masks were meant to dominate attention during ceremonies and are often linked to clan identities or spirit animals - and traditionally used to call upon ancestors or to commemorate events. Size: 15" W x 69" H (38.1 cm x 175.3 cm)
Provenance: private Tucson, Arizona, USA collection, acquired between 1950 and 1985
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#195674
- Condition: Staining and discoloration, fading to painted pigments. Tears and fraying to woven panels and attachments. The cord holding cassowary feathers in place along the projecting panel is loose along one side.
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