Anthropomorphic mask, Papua New Guinea. - Lot 329

Anthropomorphic mask, Papua New Guinea. Anthropomorphic facial mask, the face adopts an exaggeratedly oblong shape, forming an ellipse. The forehead is particularly strong, marked by convex lines that unite to form a pointed central ridge. The eyes and mouth, sculpted in bas-relief, are represented by tight ellipses giving an impression of closure, as if in a meditative state. The nose, in medium relief, imposes its vertical axis on the entire face, extending the central ridge of the forehead. The nose demonstrates a certain geometrisation of its component parts: two semi-ovals combined with a triangular half-prism. The phallic symbolism of the nose, an element common to the Papuan cultures of the Sepik, is explicit here. The nostrils are pierced. The cheekbones are suggested by a slight bulge, delimiting the upper and lower parts of the face. The ears, discreet arcs of circles on either side of the mask at eye level, are also pierced. At regular intervals, a series of holes run along the back of the mask: these must have been used to fasten it. Comparison with a similar mask in Melbourne identifies this mask as a "sabi" (or "savi") mask (see the "sabi mask" article on the NGV website). It therefore represents the spirit known as "Sekundami", one of the most powerful of the "Waken" spirits worshipped on the banks of the Sepik River. Sabi" masks were attached to a bow shield when warriors in dugout canoes paddled out to attack (see, for example, Musée du Quai Branly (Paris), no. 71.1955.76.268). The spirit watched over the boat and its passengers. In addition to the similarity indicated, the stylistic elements identified correspond to the Iatmul artistic canon. Traces of pigmentation, patina, and various chips and cracks attest to an ancient mask. Iatmul (or Sawos?), Middle Sepik, East Sepik Province (Papua New Guinea). Dimension: 35.5 cm long, 13 cm wide. Estimated dating: Early to first half of 20th century Provenance : - Acquired by Danièle Ronseau (née Alliou) or by Georges Alliou - by descent Selective bibliography: * On the art of Sepik: - Philippe PELTIER (dir.), 2015, Sepik. Arts de Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée, Skira & Musée du Quai Branly * On the art of the Iatmul and Sawos: - Ina R. DINERMAN "Iatmul art as Iconography", Anthropos n°76 (5/6), pp. 807-824 - A.J.P. MEYER, Oceanian Art, Könemann, Cologne, 1995; pp. 220-231 & pp. 252-259 corpus for comparison : - National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne, Australia), no. 2003.275 - Lot 54, De Baecque & Associés, Paris - Feb. 12, 2021