Upper Keram River Mask-New Guinea Art-Oceanic Art
This ancient and relatively large mask from the Upper Keram River is probably a flute mask that was attached to a sacred bamboo flute not unlike one from the Bremen Museum that I have included a photo of at the end. The present mask is of a distinct type of which I have had two others very similar. They are all pre-contact, stone-carved with traces of orange, black and white pigments. This mask has a very attractive curve to the profile, deeply pierced nose and the roughhewn scallop marks left by a stone adze on the reverse. It dates to the 19th century, comes from an Italian collection, stands 22 ½” (57.1 cm) in height and the price is available upon request.