Middle Sepik River Spirit Mask

20th century

37 in. x 10 in. x 6 in. (93.98 cm x 25.4 cm x 15.24 cm)

This object has the following keywords:

• carving - The act of shaping, marking, or decorating wood, stone, or another material by cutting or incising, typically using tools such as chisels and other blades. It refers to this process as it is applied to small-scale objects or to objects that are not considered art. "Carving" may also be considered a sculpture technique that is employed in the creation of art.
• Lower Sepik
• Melanesian - Describes the culture and style of the inhabitants of the Melanesian Islands. Melanesians are well known for creating sculptures utilizing a vast range of media, their traditional communal architecture, and body arts.
• Oceanic - Cultures and styles of various regions in Oceania, comprising islands scattered throughout the Pacific Ocean (generally excluding Japan, Indonesia, and the Philippines), but including Australia.
• Papua New Guinea
• Sepik - Describes works by the New Guinea Aboriginal people located in Sepik. Sepik art works are created using a wide range of materials, techniques, and forms that are often orchestrated into a single event. Sepik people have varied architectural styles. The male cult houses are the most distinctive structures and contain carved structural elements, ornamentation, and furniture.