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Hôtel des Ventes de Troyes

42 - Mask - Sepik River - Papua New Guinea Materials : Wood Base …
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Estimate €150 - €300
Sale commission
Description
Mask - Sepik River - Papua New Guinea Materials : Wood Base included (gallery condition). Provenance: Provenance: Former Guy Seghers collection (Belgium). Collected in Papua New Guinea between 1970 and 1980 during scientific missions linked to the Leopold III Biological Station on Laing Island. Archives and period photographs preserved. Dimensions: H. 34 cm (44 cm with stand) Originally from the Sepik region in northern Papua New Guinea, this mask illustrates the remarkable sculptural tradition of the peoples living along the Sepik River, one of the great artistic centres of Oceania. Made from finely worked, medium-density wood, it features a stylised face dominated by large, pierced globular eyes, a long nose curved into a beak and a jagged outline that accentuates its expressive power. The upper part is decorated with geometric motifs carved in parallel registers, while the cheeks are highlighted with chevron motifs, typical of the region's ornamental vocabulary. The balance between powerful volumes and meticulously incised details gives the piece a striking presence. Sepik masks were used in ceremonies linked to ancestral cults, initiations or fertility rites. They embodied protective spirits, mythical beings or founding ancestors, acting as mediators between the visible and spiritual worlds. The avian shape of the nose, reminiscent of a bird's beak, refers to a symbolic repertoire common in Sepik art, where animals play an essential role in mythological narratives.
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About the sale ARTS OF AFRICA & OCEANIA: Three exceptional family collections
Auction location
Auction time 06/22/2026 at 2:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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