#70 • Papua New Guinea Kovave Wooden Painted Spirit Mask

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

High bid $55.00

Status: Sold

Estimated Value: $150-250 Origin: Papua New Guinea Dimensions: 8.5x7x18 in.  Condition: Light cracking and wear of the pigment and wood in some spots  Additional Information: A carved wooden Kovave spirit mask believed to be from the Orokolo coast of Papua New Guinea. The elongated mask is painted white, black and orange, and it has shells cut out for its eyes. The face has geometric features and painted features with an opal oval shaped mouth. The back is hollowed out and has a string attached to the top.  These sort of masks are worn by initiates during kovave or kaiva kuku initiation ceremonies.