Mosquito mask "parak" · Papua New Guinea - Sepik Delta · ID: 3038655
Ulrich Kortmann, Dortmund, Germany
Description
wood, dark brown patina, black paint, red and white pigment, striking long nose with pointed tip, a concave vaulted facial plane with slanting see slits, incised letters on the forehead “Baltasary”, remains of painting, dam., abrasion of paint, possibly rest. (nose), metal base;
the nose is a reference to a male mythical spirit called “parak”, which is closely involved in the initiation ceremonies of the young-men-to-be and in hunting. As such, the “parak” is thought to reveal the game to the hunter while concealing it from strangers.
The object Mosquito mask “parak” with the object ID 3038655 was last part of the auction 80th Tribal Art Auction at June 27, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 42 achieved a sales price of EUR 3,500.
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Comparing literature
Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 185