Very ancient mask characteristic of the Ramu River valley. Fusing, as is often the case in New Guinea, anthropomorphic and zoomorphic elements, here its curved nose is pierced with two holes to indicate its nostrils, its breathing, and also to attach an ornament. The masks represented or embodied ancestors, mythological figures or supernatural beings and were part of the sacred objects kept in the men's homes away from the gaze of women and young people who were still uninitiated, except when they went out in great pomp. This mask of a very refined conception with curved volumes and taut lines particularly successful testifies to a superb antiquity. Ramu River Valley, Papua New Guinea Wood, small wear on the right ear, very beautiful and old patina. H. 42 cm Provenance: - Collected by Pierre Langlois and Marcel Évrard in 1959-60 - Former collection of Marcel Évrard Exhibition and publication : - Oceania at the CRACAP (National Center of Research of Animation and Creation for the Plastic Arts) 1971, fig.15 of the catalog