Spirit mask
Caroline Islands, Mortlock Island, Ponape
sold
EUR 1,200
Provenance
American Private Collection, BremertonSize
H: 25 cm
H: 9.8 inch
Description
light-weighted wood (probably breadfruit-tree), white and black pigment, of narrow elongated form with stylized facial features and disc-shaped projecting beard, “Devil mask - Ponape” written in pencil on the inside of the mask, slightly dam., paint rubbed off;
such masks served for manipulating the weather, they should help to ward off typhoons and make the bread fruits ripen.