Pre-contact Upper Keram River Mask-Christensen Collection-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
Any time you see a New Guinea mask, relatively flat, with holes around the perimeter you will know it was once attached to a large “tumbuan” dance costume. This old example looks to come from the Upper Keram River as it meanders south towards the Ramu River. As you can see from the reverse, this mask is a pre-contact example. It comes from the collection of Allen Christensen, a mining engineer who built a substantial collection in the 1950s to 1980s. His inventory number CC61145 is painted on the reverse. The mask dates to the early 20th century or before, is fairly large at 24 ¼” (61.5 cm) in height and the price is $9500.