#14 • Vanuatu Malekula Temes Nevimbur Mask Puppet

Part of Professor’s Collection Part One: Pacific & Pre-Columbian Artifacts (live auction by Blue Box Auction Gallery)

High bid $140.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $450-650 Origin: Malekula Island, mid to late 20th century  Dimensions: 7.5x9.5x30 in.  Condition: It has wear of the natural materials and cracking of its paint especially along one side of its face. Its natural materials make it fragile. Additional Information: This Vanuatu Malekula Temes Nevimbur Mask Puppet is on a wooden rod with the mask shaped onto the top with natural materials such as clay, natural fibers, vegetal paste, and leaves. It has a long nose and protruding eyes with rod like shapes with holes on the ends and a painted orange and black design. It also has bore tusks on each side of the face.  Boar tusks are sometimes used as currency in Vanatu and often represented wealth and status. Temes Nevimber are types of rods or puppets that are used in secret society ceremonies and represent are used to tell mythological stories.  Reportedly, provenance: Scott Duggleby, TX.