20th C. Micronesian Wood Ancestor Mask (Tapuanu)
Similar Sale History
View More Items in MasksRelated Masks
More Items in Masks
View MoreRecommended Art
View MoreItem Details
Description
Oceania, Micronesia, Chuuk, Caroline Islands, Nomoi Islands (Mortlock), Satoan Atoll (Satawan Atoll), ca. 20th century CE. Micronesian culture has almost no masks - only those from this group of islands, a series of atolls northeast of Papua New Guinea. Known in their language as "tapuanu", it is hand-carved from breadfruit wood and painted using lime white and soot black. In the characteristic style of Nomoi masks, everything about the mask is thin: the profile, the eye slits, the projecting eyebrows, and the nose. A lower-profile outline around the lower half of the face resembles a black beard adorned in painted linear and geometric motifs. This mask is meant to represent an ancestor and would have been hung in a boat house or a ceremonial house, where secret soutapuanu society members could hold performances to appease the god of wind and protect the breadfruit harvest. Size: 5.3" W x 11.1" H (13.5 cm x 28.2 cm); 12.1" H (30.7 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#178654
Provenance: private Hawaii collection, acquired 2000 to 2010
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.
We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
#178654
Condition
Expected light surface wear with nicks and abrasions as shown, but otherwise intact and excellent with nice preservation of pigments and detail. Japanese inscription on verso, as well as metal suspension hook for easy display.
Buyer's Premium
- 26.5%
20th C. Micronesian Wood Ancestor Mask (Tapuanu)
Estimate $1,500 - $2,000
5 bidders are watching this item.
Shipping & Pickup Options
Item located in Louisville, CO, usSee Policy for Shipping
Local Pickup Available
Payment
Accepts seamless payments through LiveAuctioneers
Auction Curated By
Owner/Executive Director, Antiquities & Pre-Columbian Art
PhD. Art History, Director, Fine & Visual Arts
TOP