**First Time At Auction**

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Lower Sepik River region, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. A charming mask made from half a coconut shell and covered with a tightly woven fiber and rattan surface. The anthropomorphic visage has stylized features made from woven fiber pieces that are sewn on and painted with vibrant hues of pink and orange. The nose is folded to create a loop at the tip, and cowrie shells are set into the eyes. Black, white, and brown pigments are painted across the rest of the weaving, creating linear motifs. A rattan frame is woven into the edge of the coconut and fiber, with decorative cowrie shells and loose tassels made from cassowary feathers and grasses. A cord is attached to the top for suspension to display this intriguing piece! Size: 8" L x 3.5" W x 7.25" H (20.3 cm x 8.9 cm x 18.4 cm)

Provenance: private J.H. collection, Beaverton, Oregon, USA, acquired in April 2011; ex-private Wormerveer, Noord Holland, The Netherlands collection, collected in the 1970s

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to recent increases of shipments being seized by Australian & German customs (even for items with pre-UNESCO provenance), we will no longer ship most antiquities and ancient Chinese art to Australia & Germany. For categories of items that are acceptable to ship to Australia or Germany, please contact us directly or work with your local customs brokerage firm.

Display stands not described as included/custom in the item description are for photography purposes only and will not be included with the item upon shipping.

#152162

Fraying and shedding of fibers and feathers. Chipping and fading of pigments. Light mineral deposits. Great details and cord attached to top for suspension.