Mask, Ramu River Valley, Papua New Guinea Height: 63 cm Wood and seashells. Masks from the Ramu River Valley are among the most striking expressions of Papua New Guinean art. Intended for ceremonies and rituals, they embodied ancestral or spiritual beings whose presence was invoked during major community celebrations. This beautiful example stands out for the power of its carving (hewn from stone) and its eyes inlaid with seashells, whose luster lends the gaze a remarkable intensity. The balance of its proportions, the simplicity of its composition, and the quality of its carving illustrate the talent of the region’s artists, whose works are now recognized as among the most powerful in Oceanic art. (Without a base). Provenance: Holger Braun Gallery, Germany.