Lot 384

Iatmul Mei Mask, Palembei, Papua New Guinea

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Lot 384
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Iatmul Mei Mask, Palembei, Papua New Guinea
Iatmul Mei Mask, Palembei, Papua New Guinea
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Iatmul Mei Mask, Palembei, Papua New Guinea

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,000

Starting Bid: $150

(0 Bids)
by Artemis Fine Arts
July 30, 2026 8:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Papua New Guinea, mid. 20th century. Spirit mask of distinctive long narrow form, with conus shell eyes, long raised nasal ridge, perforated septum with boars tusks, long extension beneath nose connected to chin, and surface painted with red ochre, white, and black pigment. The forehead and sides built up with compacted earthen matrix with nassa, cowry, and conus shells, feathers, and human hair embedded in rich pattern. Ears are perforated with balsa wood detail. An attached card on back describes the mask as “Mask from Palembei” with explanation of use and cultural significance. The mask would have been mounted on a conical fiber structure as part of a pair of masks representing mythical male of female pairs, and worn on the shoulders of a dancer. Also worn for pageants enacted by young men impersonating ancestral brothers and sisters. 32" H (81.28 cm H).

Provenance: Collection of Ilene and Jerry Liebowitz. Ex. Jerome Gould collection, LA., 1990’s. Purchased from retired patrol officer in Sydney, Australia.

SHIPPING: We coordinate worldwide shipping in-house through specialist international forwarders experienced with fine art and antiquities customs manifests. International buyers must confirm, prior to bidding, that their country's customs authority will accept the item. All duties, taxes, clearance fees, and any costs arising from customs delays, seizures, re-export, returns, or loss in transit are the buyer's sole responsibility. Artemis assumes no liability for items refused entry, detained, or lost after export. We cannot ship ancient items to their country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.).

PAYMENT EXCEPTION: For clients not previously established with Artemis, payment for all gold, precious metal, and gemstone lots must be made by bank wire transfer or certified bank check/money order, without exception.

Item # 72331

  • Condition: One shell eye is lost; the clay is cracked; and there is surface wear.

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Shipping

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $749 $25
$750 $1,499 $50
$1,500 $2,999 $100
$3,000 $7,499 $250
$7,500 $14,999 $500
$15,000 $29,999 $1,000
$30,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000