#15 • 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 $375.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $1,200-1,500 Origin: Malekula Island, 19th century Dimensions: 8.5x6.5x14.5 in.  Condition: It has wear of the natural materials and cracking of its paint especially along its face. Its rod is broken off and the wood is splintered at the end. Its natural materials make it fragile. Additional Information: This Vanuatu Malekula Temes Nevimbur Mask Puppet is on a wooden rod that has been broken off with the mask shaped onto the top with natural materials such as clay, natural fibers, vegetal paste, and leaves. It has a large nose and protruding eyes with rod like shapes with flat 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: Artemis Gallery, CO.