Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, middle Sepik River region, Kwoma / Nukuma people, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A tall, hand-carved wooden ancestral mask with a strikingly abstract and elongated form. Hewn from a single piece of wood, the mask features a deeply recessed brow from which a prominent, downward-hanging nose emerges between two conical eyes. Below is a mouth with a curved tongue-like projection. Masks of this type are associated with yena ceremonies, the initial rites in a series of yam harvest celebrations. Characterized by their protruding eyes and elongated noses, such sculptural faces embody revered ancestral spirits, channeling their presence to bless the harvest and guide the community. Size: 48" L x 17" W (121.9 cm x 43.2 cm)

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

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#195680

  • Condition: Heavy weathering and old inactive insect activity, with bore holes and grooves throughout. Losses and chips to peripheries, and large pressure crack on the forehead radiating to the eyes.

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

Artemis Fine Arts

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$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 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
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