Ceremonial Mask Carving, Kandangai Village, East Sepik River, Papua, New Guinea

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Ceremonial Mask Carving, Kandangai Village, East Sepik River, Papua, New Guinea:
$265.00

Oceanic Tribal Ceremonial Shaman Mask Carving, Kandangai Village, East Sepik River, Papua, New GuineaDESCRIPTION:
From the private collection of the late Dr. Philip H. Gray and includes the original identifying tag from the art dealer (image 12). This dramatic ceremonial shaman mask was hand carved using stone adzes, drills and shark skin rasps by the natives in Kandangai village (the legendary head hunters of yore!) out of local wood. The protruding eyes in this ceremonial mask carving are embedded with large cut Nassa shells which are harder to find, and filled with red clay for effect (image 6). These bulging eyes are typical of Kandangai Shaman ceremonial figures. These shaman masks are not worn, but used during special ceremonial rites to protect the village from disease and misfortune, therefore there are no holes for the eyes but have the traditional Nassa shells instead. The figures were consulted for advice in times of famine and sickness.This carving is decorated black with soot (in this case the mask was burned, see back of mask for unfinished soot that will leave your hands blackened - image 11), the face side was then polished and splattered with red clay. There are two spirit motifs in this ceremonial shaman figure including the head of a spirit bird on the chin connecting to the nose (image 3) and an \"ancestor face\" carved on forehead for protection against sickness (images 4 & 5). This is an exceptional Kandangai Shaman Ceremonial Mask. Each piece of New Guinea folk art is entirely unique. Due to the primitive and rather crude nature of the carvings, the sculptures may exhibit cracks, may be missing shells or other adornments such as feathers, may have areas of discolored or worn-off \"paint\", may be missing some crude metal ornamentation and may appear \"broken\" or \"unfinished\" or \"burned\" when that is often simply the way that they are made, or the condition in which they were originally acquired by the collector.These so-called \"flaws\" however, make them appealing because they are all hand made and as individual as the carvers who create them. Each hand carving is sold \"as is.\" DIMENSIONS:
27 inches long, 9-1/4 inches wide, 4-1/4 inches thick. Approx: 4.75 pounds.HISTORY:
\"Kandangai carvers make big, bold hooks up to 6 feet high with protruding eyes set with white shell. The hooks are painted black. Full figures are common, usually male.Kandangai Village sits on a large raunwara (round water), a cutoff meander of the Sepik River. The baret back into the villages of Kandangai and Nyaurangei joins the Sepik across from Yenichenmangua, upriver from Korogo.Their raunwara is rich in birdlife. ... a birding tour group in the 1970s that identified over 70 different species in one day. The far end of the baret joins with the Chambri Lakes during high water.Salt water shells are traded up the Sepik River from the coastal villages. Shells are sold in the Angoram market and also in the Wewak markets. Common ones are cowrie and geri-geri. Also spelled Kandingai, Kandingei, Kandige.\" ~ artpacific.com DISCLAIMER:
Due to the fragile nature of these primitive works of art, we cannot guarantee arrival in perfect or near perfect condition. We will however, fully inspect, very carefully pack and ship your purchase with every effort on our part to provide you with the sculpture as described. We make every effort to provide detailed descriptions and clear images and any information related to any possible damage, however minor. Purchasing shipping insurance is highly recommended. SHIPPING:
The Estate cannot and will not ship International or to Canada at this time. offers that win from these areas will not be honored. Please do not offer if you live outside of the United States or in Canada.