Ancient Iatmul Dance Mask, Middle Sepik, Papua, New Guinea

Old dance mask measuring 60cm high by 12 cm wide and 12 cm deep carved wood with additions of shells, hair and bones in the nostrils The Iatmul constitute the largest population of the middle valley of the Sepik in the North of Papua New Guinea The construction of these masks follows a relatively simple diagram: a narrow face, the eyes marked by a shell stretch upwards and whose nose lengthens into an appendage which, passing in front of the mouth, concludes with an animal figure. a ridge starting from the forehead joining the chin. Shells are included in a kind of clay paste around the face of the human hair is encrusted on the forehead (some lacks) Each mask is the personification of an ancestor whose identity is recognizable by an animal symbol ( here bird or fish) Each family has at least two similar masks. You should know that this type of mask was not worn in front of the face but fixed on a cone of leaves stretched over a rattan frame This cone will be placed on the shoulders of the dancer, the mask will be perched high on the frame and will dominate the other dancers. It is becoming quite rare to find this type of mask still in good condition with its shell set, neat and free shipping for the whole world.