Massive New Guinea Middle Sepik SAWOS HOUSE MASK!
MASSIVE & IMPRESSIVE NEW GUINEA MIDDLE SEPIK RIVER SAWOS HOUSE MASK!
Origin: New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, Sawos people (Provenance: found in an old New York collection. Old tag with the name Barnes on it.)
Period: Mid 20th century
Materials: Hardwood, natural earth pigments, shell
Description: The scale of this mask is "amazing" and would make a bold statement on any wall! It would have been displayed on the exterior of a men's house. These are fairly scarce since few survived and even fewer come up for sale. This one is deeply carved and features an expressive face with large inset cone shell eyes. It has a wide prominent nose with pierced septum and mouth with exposed teeth. The forehead has a stylized bird with outstretched wings. Its surface is semi-encrusted and worn yet retains about 80-85% or its original pigments. The back side has textured adze marks, old tags and writing. The pierced hanging holes are irregular and were done by hand. Some slight loss and erosion to the bottom rim. It can't be overstated how large of a tree buttress this house mask was harvested from!
Dimensions: Height 38.5" (98 cm), Width 25.75" (65.5 cm)