A very early and well carved ancestor mask. The features of classical format are highlighted with an extremely unusual painted motif. The geometry of the painted designs seems to be related to the Lower Sepik area, perhaps around the Keram and Porapora tributaries of the great Sepik River.

A mask with similar geometric and linear motifs was collected in the mid 20th century by a father of the catholic Divine Word mission later housed at Sankt Augustine in Germany in the Mission Museum.

Lower Sepik, PNG, Melanesia.

Stone carved wood with pigments and a fine aged patina of use and age. 44,5 x 17 cm. 19th century.

An old paper label affix to the rear with the number 414.