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Lot #275 - A Nakanai Bark Funerary Mask Cover, New Britain, Papua New Guinea

  • Auction House:
    Theodore Bruce
  • Sale Name:
    Fine Aboriginal, Oceanic & Tribal
  • Sale Date:
    02 Dec 2018 ~ 3pm (AEDT)
  • Lot #:
    275
  • Lot Description:
    A Nakanai Bark Funerary Mask Cover, New Britain, Papua New Guinea
    the most important festival celebrated by the Nakanai people was held to honour the dead. Several years after the death of a man a three day event was held and carefully prepared costumes were made from barkcloth painted with natural black, white, red, yellow and blue pigments, or coloured chalks, pencils and oils from mission stores. The costumes are made and worn only by men and consist of a cape hung from the shoulders down the back and a mask. Masks were constructed from bark cloth and stretched over a cane frame. The costumed men then carried the bark cloth shrouded body to a final burial site. The shrouds, capes and masks were often placed in the grave.
    70 x 115 cm
  • Notes:
    Two Similar Ceremonial Objects appears in the Art Gallery of New South Wales Collection. Accession number 271.2016 & 171.1976
  • Estimate:
    A$1,000 - 2,000
  • Realised Price:
    *****

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  • Category:
    Tribal

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.



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