A Biwat Mask Yuat River, Papua New Guinea, c. 1900 Carved wood with black, red-orange, and white natural pigments, a woven basketry flange with loops around perimeter and human hair beard at chin. The appealing face has a surreal element of a raised line swooping down from the circular eyes to end at the back of the ears. In very good condition; pigments faded on the forehead and much of the white missing, minor losses to the back perimeter. Provenance: A Private Collection, New York, NY, acquired in 1998 Sotheby's New York, November 22, 1998, lot 25 Dr. Edmund Muller (1898-1976, Beronmunster, Switzerland). Dr. Muller is renowned as one of the first discerning collectors of African and Oceanic Art. He bought with great care objects collected during early European expeditions. His label and inventory tag attached to back. Height: 13 ½ inches HID03101062020 © 2022 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

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