Vibrant Manam Island Dance Mask “Watkapura” – tc173

Category: Masks

Manam Island, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A beautiful Manam Island dance mask. Carved in narrow classic form; the beak like nose joining above the mouth with deeply carved abstract motif projecting to the sides like a classic European moustache. The mouth and eyes, carved through while the ears and nose are pierced for attachments. Applied red and black trade paint, which is common practice in this region since the mid 20th Century. On the side of the mask are four carved holes which would have once housed a bite stick, and a large carved lug on the top of the mask for attachment to the dancers costume, all displaying signs of extensive use. I was lucky enough to document the individual name of this mask at time of collection which is “Watkapura”, this is an ancestral name associated with the clan who sold me it. A fantastic mask with a real presence, in what can only be described as excellent condition. Circa 1920’s; custom mounted

Height: 74 cm or 29 inches.
Price: Australian $6000.00

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Superb Lower Sepik Dance Mask – tc172

Category: Masks

Lower Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A fine Lower Sepik Dance Mask. Carved from light hard wood in classic form the expressive face surmounted by a carved lizzard descending the forehead; while the ears and nose are pierced for attachments. Layers of vibrant trade and natural pigment decoration from generations of use. On the reverse are two carve holes where a bite stick would have once been. Weathered and encrusted patina, in overall excellent condition. Circa 1940’s; Custom mounted.

Height: 64 cm or 25.25 inches.
Price: Australian $4500.00

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Vibrant Abelam Baba Mask – tc142

Category: Masks

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A beautifully decorated Abelam Baba Mask. Tightly woven bark fibre with applied natural pigment decoration. Usually worn above a vegetal costume that completely covers the dancer. Weathered and encrusted patina; in excellent condition. Mid 20th Century; Custom mounted.

Height x Width: 38 x 21 cm or 15 x 10.5 inches.
Price: Australian$650.00

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3 Old Yangoru Talipoon Masks – tc94

Category: Masks

Yangoru Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A group of three old Talipoon masks. Originally attached to large snail shells and traded as a form of traditional currency. All three have solid age, and are of a rare form, particularly the example with the double bird heads. Traces of pigments on all three masks, the two with birds a combination of natural pigments and Rekkits Blue washing powder, often used as a pigment in the 50’s and 60’s. Weathered and encrusted patina in truly excellent condition. Circa 1930’s; custom mounted.

Heights: 27 – 38 cm or 10.5 – 15 inches.
Price: Australian$2400.00

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Old Expressive Ramu Dance Mask – tc104

Category: Masks

Ramu River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

An old Ramu River Dance mask. Carved from hard wood in distinctive form, the large curling bird-beak nose rejoining the face just above the mouth, evoking images of mystique and power to its audience. The ears and septum pierced for attachments, and the cut out holes around the rim of the mask used to attach it to the dancers costume exhibit plenty of wear. Glass trade rings as eyes; add a vivid visual element. Weathered glossy patina in overall excellent condition. Custom mounted. Collected 1952-54 by Peter Kohler from Ascona, Switzerland and sold to an expatriate Australian. This mask had some age and definite signs of use prior to collection, most likely dating from the 1940’s.

Height: 57 cm or 22.5 inches
Price: SOLD

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Rare Eastern Highlands Gourd Mask “Boni Kofa” – tc97

Category: Masks

Avanofi People, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea

An Eastern Highlands gourd mask known by the Avanofi as “Boni Kofa”. These rare masks from Eastern Highlands are significantly different to those we find from the coastal areas in both form and materials used. Fashioned from a large vegetal gourd, and elaborately decorated with a fringe of cassowary and brightly coloured parrot feathers, cut out eyes, mouth and nose. Surrounding the eyes and on the chin is pecked motif, the mask and face nicely framed with rows of nassa shells. A great example of this type of mask; in fine condition. Mid 20th Century; custom mounted.

Height: 48 cm or 19 inches.
Price: Australian$1800.00

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Old Vibrant Abelam Yam Mask – tc72

Category: Masks

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A wonderfully old and well worn Abelam Yam mask. Used to decorate the male yams at harvest ceremonies. Carved from dense hard wood in classical form. Decorated with layers of natural pigments, indicating repeated use over time. The ears and septum pierced for attachments. Weathered and encrusted patina. In excellent condition. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 32 cm or 12.5 inches
Price: Australian$1200.00

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Old Abelam Wooden Yam Mask – tc73

Category: Masks

Maprik Area, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

An old and very well used Abelam Yam mask. Used to decorate the male yams at harvest ceremonies. Carved from dense hard wood in elongated narrow form. The exaggerated nose running almost the entirety of the face. Layers and layers of pigments, indicating repeated use over time. The septum pierced for feather attachments. Weathered and encrusted patina. In overall excellent condition. Early 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Height: 36 cm or 14 inches
Price: SOLD

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Vibrant Wosera Baba Mask – tc69

Category: Masks

Kamge Village, Wosera District, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

A vibrant Wosera Baba Mask. Tightly woven bark fibre, in helmet form and brilliantly decorated with layers of natural pigments. Notably are the eyes that project outwards from the face; these are surrounded by openwork weaving that reach almost to the tip of the nose. Worn by young men at initiation; and various Yam related ceremonies. In excellent condition. Mid 20th Century. Custom mounted.

Dimensions: 43 x 51 x 30 cm or 17 x 20 x 12 inches.
Price: $1200.00.00 AUD

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Fine Ramu River Dace Mask Bosman Village – tc63

Category: Masks

Bosman Village, Ramu River, Madang Province, Papua New Guinea

A superb Bosman dance mask. Carved from hardwood; the bark fibre head fringe still present. Painted using natural and the later addition of “Trade” pigments. Pearl shell eyes, with incised curvilinear motifs running down the cheeks. A large tricuspid nose with pierced septum and pierced ears. The reverse exhibits good age and signs of use. Early to mid 20th Century. Custom Mounted.

Height: 45 cm or 17.2 inches.
Price: $3500.00 AUD

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