Ramu / Guam River Mask

This fine mask from the middle Ramu area, possibly Guam River, is artistically dynamic,  a result of a combination of repeated sculpture shapes, balanced proportions and use of color. One can be excused if thinking this is contemporary work from a European sculptor. I love the clever suggestion of a face as the central focus.   This is most likely a flute mask which would have been  tied around long bamboo flutes.  During initiation and healing ceremonies, flutes are played all night long by initiated men, while others dance in circle around the musicians. Their sound incarnates the ancestor’s voices and is particularly important during the initiation ceremony, which leads boys into adulthood.

The symbolism of the hooks can have varying interpretations, for example the protruding spikes are the beaks of hornbill birds, an important part of tribal mythology. It is not unreasonable to assume the spikes might represent a range of objects depending on the carvers intent.  For example another suggesting is the bottom barbs represent the poisonous barbs of a catfish.

This mask includes a custom made black metal stand