29" Middle Sepik River Wooden Spirit Mask | Papua New Guinea | Ron Perry Provenance

3363-008

Offered for sale is a powerful and exceptionally wide 29-inch ancestral spirit mask (Savi or gable spirit face) from the Middle Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection. Expertly hand-carved from a single piece of dense indigenous hardwood, this large-scale mask represents a dramatic departure from the elongated forms typically seen in the region, featuring an unusually broad, circular facial structure. In Middle Sepik ritual tradition, such masks were rarely worn directly on the face. Instead, they were created as highly sacred display pieces intended for the interior architecture or overhanging gables of the Haus Tambaran (Men's Ceremonial Spirit House) to attract helpful clan spirits, project protective authority, and ward off malevolent forces.

The mask boasts classic Middle Sepik artistic mastery, anchored by prominent, concentric target eyes that seem to pierce the viewer, a heavy downward-sloping nose ridge, and an wide stylized mouth line framed by deep decorative planes. The entire surface is treated with traditional natural earth pigments—white lime, rich iron ochres, and charcoal black—defining the striking geometric tattoos and scarification patterns of the clan. Original woven plant-fiber cordage remains securely attached around the perimeter.

The mask was field-collected by Ron Perry, a globally renowned expert and one of the most respected Pacific tribal art authorities of the 20th century. Beginning his expeditions in 1964, Perry spent over 40 years traveling by canoe up remote waterways and trekking unmapped terrains to collect authentic pieces directly from traditional clans. His credibility in the field is unmatched: following Papua New Guinea's independence in 1975, the PNG National Cultural Council appointed him to manage Village Arts, their government-run indigenous artifact center. This is an outstanding display piece with magnificent scale, mesmerizing facial geometry, and impeccable field-collected provenance, making it a museum-quality addition to any collection of Oceanic, ethnographic, or tribal art.

Item Details:

• Object: Ancestral Spirit Mask / Gable Mask

• Culture: Sepik River Peoples (Iatmul / Sawos Group)

• Region: Middle Sepik River, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

• Period: Mid to Late 20th Century

• Dimensions: 29" H × 24" W × 7" D (74 × 61 × 18 cm)

• Materials: Solid indigenous hardwood, natural earth pigments (clay lime, ochre, charcoal), and woven plant fiber cordage

• Provenance: Acquired directly from the Ron Perry Arizona Room collection

• Condition Note: This piece exhibits authentic, stable aging, beautiful native patination, and minor fiber wear consistent with age and traditional ceremonial house display. Please review all photographs carefully, as they are an important part of the description.

This is available for local pick-up. Shipping can be available for this item. Please contact us for a custom quote or to make arrangements.