Large 90cm Old Vintage Sepik River Wood Mei Mask Tribal Papua New Guinea PNG
Large 90cm Old Vintage Sepik River Wood Mei Mask Tribal Papua New Guinea PNG. Presenting a large old hand carved wooden ceremonial Mei mask from Papua New Guinea for your consideration. This large and incredible Mei mask originated in the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea.
It has an elongated face with carved high relief features. Cowrie shells have been inset to create eyes. Natural black charcoal pigment (derived from wood ash and water) has been used to highlight facial features. Charcoal pigment has also been used to create wonderful geometric patterns to the lower end of the mask.
Traces of white pigment decoration is also evident within the grain of the wood. Original tool markings from the carving process can be seen all over the mask, the front of the mask being slightly more refined.
The markings are simply stunning! At the top of the Mei mask is a square mortise originally used for binding. Mei masks were not face masks, but were tied to a conical structure made of plaited fibers and would have covered the head and shoulders of a dancer.
Mei masks were usually carved in male and female pairs representing the ancestral sisters and brothers of a village clan. These masks are also used in battle to frighten enemies into submission, and to impress young boys during initiation ceremonies. This vintage carved Papua New Guinea Mei mask is definitely an older example, displaying a very satisfying amount of age. Dimensions The hand carved mask measures 90cm in length, 16.5cm in width and 8cm in depth. It weighs 1.4 kg (1439 grams).
Condition Presented in very good vintage condition. As this is a used piece, there are some markings to the wood and losses to the black charcoal pigment due to age as you would expect. The hand painted geometric patterns to the lower right side have smudged which only adds to the wonderful primitive nature of the mask.
Extremely small pinhead sized insect holes evident, which were there long before the mask was carved and are original to the piece. The wood remains in extremely solid condition with no splitting or warping.
This old Mei Mask will make a wonderful addition to any Pacific / Oceania collection. Will also be an incredible and original tribal display in any home!
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