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Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, Iatmul people, ca. mid-20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden face mask of a stylized and elongated visage, inlaid with shells and attached raffia / rattan cords decorating the septum and earlobes. While often described as a mask, not every mask was designed for wearing; some were crafted by the Sepik peoples without eye holes and functioned as sacred items, while others were worn, but attached to the top of elaborate costume like a headdress. Dozens of cowrie shells and a cut spiral from a conch shell are set in a dried resin; these adornments often denoted social rank, sanctity, and wealth. Size: 13″ L x 7″ W (33 cm x 17.8 cm)
Condition: Rattan handle cord is torn on one side and fraying. Chip to carving on brow. Rest of the carving is intact and very good. Black pigment transfers when handled.
Provenance: ex-Royal Athena Galleries, New York City, New York, USA
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