MIDDLE SEPIK RIVER CANOE MASK

MIDDLE SEPIK RIVER CANOE MASK

Papua New Guinea

40 cm. high

Cf. Hooper, S. (Ed.), "Robert and Lisa Sainsbury Collection", London, 1997, vol.II, p.49, fig.31, for a very similar mask in the Sainsbury collection, formerly in the collections of Madeleine Rousseau and Stephen Chauvet. For another, see Smidt, D. et al, "Sculpture from Africa and Oceania", Otterlo, 1990, p.253, cat.96. Such masks were attached to a W-shaped painted palm spathe screen, in the form of a stylized bird landing in the canoe. The mythical bird symbolises the fighting force of the clan and offers protection to the men in the canoe behind its outspread wings as they set out on head-hunting expeditions.