Papua New Guinea Sepik River Wood Mask

**Originally Listed At $300**

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River region, Iatmul people, ca. 20th century CE. A hand-carved wooden face mask, perhaps intended for the dead given the lack of eyeholes, which are instead inlaid with cowrie snail shells. The convex mask features a pierced septum, a protruding tongue, high-arching brows, and tab-shaped ears, all decorated with black, red, yellow, and white pigment. Size: 4.25" L x 8.8" W x 21.5" H (10.8 cm x 22.4 cm x 54.6 cm)

Provenance: Estate of R. Pearson, Denver, Colorado, USA; Mr. Pearson collected from the third quarter of the 20th century until he passed away.

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#143206
Condition Report: Pressure fissures across brow, with abrasions and fading to pigment, and minor staining across face, otherwise intact and very good. Great preservation to facial features.