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Carving, probably representing the head of a hornbill, C-14 dating: 1640–1880 (95 % probability)
Wood and pigment
50.8 cm (20 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.339

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: "Douglas Newton Collection, New York." (Catalog #345, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 139.) PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "No definitive information is available about how this object was used, but the form suggests a hornbill head. It is possible that it was made to surmount a Ngala (Nggala) bark mask such as collected by Douglas Newton, and which is now in the collection (Newton, 1971, fig. 87). Newton (1971, fig. 87) depicts a 'mask of sago spathe' for the Mba:ngk ceremony, surmounted by a carved hornbill head. It was worn by a masquerader representing 'the water spirit of the ward which put on the ceremony. The mask fitted over the head of the masker so that he looked out through the eye-holes.' After the ceremony, the mask was left beind at the location of the ceremony but the hornbill head was taken back to the ward of the performer (ibid., 36-37)." (Catalog #345, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 139.)

Related Keywords
hornbill a of head the representing probably Carving Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised 139 p 2 Volume 2005 Friede John Marcia Jolika Masterpieces Art 345 Catalog York Newton Douglas speakers language Nggala Ngala prob village Suagab Suagup collected Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Papua Melanesia Sculpture pigment Wood 0709200406050299 A365254 L05.1.339 AOA