Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik, Blackwater River region, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A woven didagur basketry helmet mask, skillfully constructed from cane fibers and accented with cassowary feathers along the chin. The surface is encrusted with clay and painted in rich ochre red and white pigments. Such masks were crafted for use in sacred initiation rituals and ceremonial dances, and in this region they are traditionally created in complementary pairs - one male and one female - symbolizing harmony and balance within the community's spiritual life. This example is identifiable as male by its dramatically elongated nose. It would have been worn with a long grass costume during manhood initiation ceremonies, bringing the mask to life through movement and embodying ancestral spirits central to the rites of passage. Size: 28" L x 12.5" W x 15" H (71.1 cm x 31.8 cm x 38.1 cm); 21" H (53.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection, acquired in the 1960's

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#195798

  • Condition: Some fading and loses to painted pigments, but weave is tight and intact. Good condition.

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August 7, 2025 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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