Papua New Guinea Painted Wood Clan Ceremonial Mask from the Iatmul Tribe of the Middle Sepik  

31 x 19 x 13 cm

1.1 kg

28 x 17 x 11 cm 

850 grams

Hand-carved

Painted with natural pigments - mix paints from earth pigments and charcoal

Yellow, red, and white curvilinear lines; white dots and blocked section over face cheeks

Shell-inset eyes

Small carved ears and teeth

Natural fibre nose rings 

Clan Ceremonial Mask from the Iatmul Tribe of the Middle Sepik River region 

Ancestor guardian masks and hung over the doorway of a clan ceremonial house under the eaves to promote harmony and protect the men from harm by sorcery. 

The Iatmul people are a large community with many of their villages situated on the banks of the Sepik River. Each village has one or more impressive ceremonial houses. Figures and ritual objects essential to the well being of the community were in these houses.

Traditionally, the Iatmul were the dominant culture of the Sepik River. They had a reputation as highly skilled headhunting raiders. Early collectors often used Iatmul guides and based themselves in Iatmul villages.