(CH 42) Large Ramu Mask.

Wood, Shell, pigments and varied patination overall.
This mask was part of a pair (the other previously in a private Australian collection), both a male and female, the primordial ancestors of the makers clan.
Such masks are only made and used ceremonially every several years.
They are kept wrapped in spathes & cloth in their owners house until used again or traded out of the village.
Over time these masks acquire power, many masks were traded out of the makers society because they had become to dangerous and caused illness and death.
This mask would have had a personal name and its own belongings, a bag, spearthrower, decorations etc.
Because of the importance placed on these masks, many were not traded to field collectors until the later half of the 20th century when the older keepers of the masks had passed on and the younger, less traditionally orientated, owners sold them.
Large bulbous form with a dramatic deep brow, encrusted layers of pigments and traces of blue.
Lower Ramu River
Height 25 Inches.

Stand not included.