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Ceremonial house gable mask, C-14 dating: 1650–1820 (87.8% probability)
Wood, pigment
144 x 66 x 15.2 cm (56 11/16 x 26 x 6 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.18

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Arthur Speyer Collection, Eltville, Germany; Harry Franklin Collection, Beverly Hills." (Catalog #253, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 123.) EXHIBITIONS: 1971-72 - Rautenstrauch-Joest-Museum für Völkerkunde, Cologne, 1971-72, "Schwarze lnseln der Südsee." PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "This large mask decorated a ceremonial house exterior in the old Chambri culture. As such, it probably represents the face of the 'mythical primal woman, the origin of all life," whose body is conceived to be the ceremonial house. Another interpretation is that it may represent the giant who was transformed into a guardian figure. See pl. 227, 228, 241, and 262 for objects that may relate to the giant. The Chambri were destroyed as a separate people by Iatmul invasions at the beginning of the 20th century. Their defeat has been traced to a shotgun the Iatmul obtained from the Germans (Gewertz, 1983: 105). The Chambri went into exile in 1905. Later, in 1927, they returned to their territory, but their cultural influence had become primarily Iatmul (Meinhard Schuster in Lutkehaus et al. 1990: 7-19)." (Catalog #253, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 123.) 1971 - Stöhr, 1971, fig. 169.

Related Keywords
mask gable house Ceremonial Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 123 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 253 Catalog Hills Beverly Franklin Harry Germany Eltville Speyer Arthur people Lake Chambri Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Papua Melanesia Architectural pigment red white nose protruding wood piece one Carved 0709200406050383 A360933 L05.1.18 AOA