#16 • Temes Nevimbur Ceremonial Mask

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

High bid $95.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $200-300 Origin: Malekula Island Dimensions: 8.5x4.5x7 in.  Condition: It has wear of the natural materials and cracking of its paint.  Additional Information: This Vanuatu Malekula Temes Nevimbur Mask. The mask shaped with natural materials such as clay, natural fibers, vegetal paste, and leaves. It has a paste or clay like material on the front of the rounded face that is painted black, red, and white with what appears to be polished pebble rock eyes, and a bore tusk on each side of the face. The back of the mask is made with a soft natural material and reeds. 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.