Papua New Guinea

Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic

Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic

Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic
To see more fine oceanic artefacts. Field collected, this is a fine carved Ancestor Cult House Mask from the Torembi Village, Papua New Guinea. Great colors (ochres) lines and expression and cowrie shell eyes.

This is a stunning vintage carved Ancestor House Cult Mask from the Torembi Village, Sawos, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea. The village of Torembi is one of several inhabited by members of the Sawos tribe. It lies mostly within the forest, but on the edge of the kunai. Carved out of wood and placed with kauri shell eyes, this mask has the distinctive features of the region. The mask would have been attached in a wall in a mens house and would be used in special ceremonies.

The Sawos people of the Middle Sepik River region of New Guinea are divided into a number of clans, each of which is associated with specific ancestors and totemic species. These ancestral and totemic beings are represented by wooden figures kept in the men's ceremonial houses. Wooden figures such as this ancestor cult mask represent a category of powerful and dangerous ancestral beings called wan or waken and each figure owned by a specific clan is named for an important clan ancestor. The piece is intricately carved and painted in traditional tribal ochres and has been flame dried over a fire showcasing its early origins. The Sawos live about 10 km from Sepik and are known for their traditional art style untouched by outside influences. They are still a very commonly used item all along the Sepik as the houses have not really changed all that much since the Stone Age. Pre post weight 0.9 kg. This is not always possible given the sizes and unique packing requirements for each unique piece. Can also insure package if required. STANDS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH ANY ITEM. Pictures make up part of the description. The item "Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic" is in sale since Tuesday, July 21, 2020. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania". The seller is "bubble_artefacts" and is located in Wurtulla, QLD.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

  • Material: Wood
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Provenance: Torembi Village
  • Originating Region: Papua New Guinea
  • Product Type: Masks


Fine Ancestor Cult House Mask, Torembi Village, PNG, Papua New Guinea, Oceanic