Mask of a spiritual being ·  Papua New Guinea - Ramu River · ID: 3037587

Description

wood, reddish brown patina, black paint, Sepik characteristic prominent nose, small pierced eyes with remains of mass around the rim, notched beard, rep. (backside spread with mass), slightly dam., abrasion of paint;
in the Sepik Area, it is generally accepted that long pointed noses represent spiritual beings while short naturalistic ones portray true ancestors.

Comparing literature

Friede, John & Marcia, New Guinea Art, Vol. 1, San Francisco 2005, ill. 81