Ancient sculpture of a suspension hook decorated with a large smiling mask, the eyes inlaid with nassa shells. This type of hook was used to put food out of reach of animals, so a large wooden disc was fixed above it and thus protected from pests such as rats. Probably Iatmul or Chambri, Eastern Sepik Province, Lake Chambri region, Middle Sepik, Papua New Guinea Wood, nassa shells, pigment, visible wear and tear, old cracks, visible old breakage of part of a hook, beautiful oxidation and patina of use. H. 53 cm Provenance: - Collected by Pierre Langlois and Marcel Évrard in 1959-60 - Former collection Marcel Evrard Exhibition and Publication : Oceania at CRACAP (National Center of Research of Animation and Creation for the Plastic Arts) 1971, fig.13 of the catalog, reproduced in full page.