Search Results

Image 1 of 1

artist
Mask, Mivai, 20th century
Fiber - bamboo, rattan, sago leaf; Clay; Pigment - white, red.
33 x 45.7 x 50.8 cm (13 x 18 x 20.5 in.)
Gift of Marcia and John Friede in honor of Diane B. Wilsey and Harry S. Parker III 2007.44.104

Zoom this image

Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art EXHIBITIONS: 2005 - New Guinea Art. Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede. De Young Museum, San Francisco, 2005. PUBLICATIONS: 2009 FAM Bulletin entry (unabridged) - "Complex in its structure and form, a rare Sawos mask has been built of numerous individual basketry units combined together into an elaborate helmet shape. The large multifaceted eyes and broad lower jaw appear suspended in separate planes. Field photographs (1), taken by English anthropologist J. Anthony Forge (2) in 1960 show that an attached framework originally supported a costume. When worn, the mask and costume transformed the wearer into the spirit or ancestor represented by the mask. (3) Forge recorded that the mask belonged to the Meipe clan and was kept in the ceremonial men's house (Nggaigo) in Aulimbit village in the Sawos area north of the Sepik River. As collectors, John and Marcia Friede are compelled to collect unique works such as this mask particularly since so few Sawos basketry masks are extant. de Young Museum objects conservator Lesley Bone has marveled at the complex three-dimensional basketry construction. New Guinea masks like this one capture our imagination with their masterful manipulation of natural materials, aesthetic qualities and emotive power." FOOTNOTES (1) In the Photograph Study Collection at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York. (2) (1929-1991) (3) Notes by Anthony Forge accompanying field photographs, July 1960. Christian Kaufmann, email correspondence, 2006 2005 - "Anthony Forge photographed this mask in the field in July 1960. (See Goldwater Library photo files at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.) It has the typical Sawos stacked eyes. Very few Sawos basketry masks have survived." (Catalog #239, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 120.)

Related Keywords
Mivai III Parker S Harry Wilsey B Diane honor Friede John Marcia Gift Art Jolika people Sawos Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New red white Pigment leaf sago rattan bamboo Fiber completed visible been weave basket pigments painted dry once which mixture clay thick coated then surface outer mask form together lashed elements basketry number Made 0709200406050264 A365259 2007.44.104 AOA