Lot 158

Sepik River Tambanum Wood Spirit Mask w/ Cane Rim

Previous image preload Next image preload

Sepik River Tambanum Wood Spirit Mask w/ Cane Rim

Estimate: $450 - $675

Starting Bid: $225

(0 Bids)

by Artemis Fine Arts
June 5, 2026 9:00 AM MDT
Live Auction
686 S. Taylor Avenue
Suite 108
Louisville, CO, US 80027

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Middle Sepik River, Tambanum village, ca. 20th. A striking Sepik River spirit mask with elongated form and bold, graphic surface, framed by a woven cane rim and fiber attachments. Carved in wood and painted in earthy tones of black, white, and ochre, the face is animated by swirling motifs, pierced eyes, and a pronounced nose, embodying the stylized presence of ancestral or spirit beings. The braided fiber cords and cane edging add both structure and movement, typical of masks used in ceremonial or display contexts within Tambanum village traditions.
Size: 10" W x 22.8" H (25.4 cm x 57.9 cm)

Provenance: private Park City, Utah, USA collection; collected in 2019 in Papua New Guinea

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 # 201637

  • Condition: Good. Some fraying and tearing to cane and woven reeds. Light surface wear with a few small nicks to wood. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great pigments and detail. Suspension hoop on top periphery for display.

Accepted Forms of Payment:

ACH, American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Money Order / Cashiers Check, Personal Check, Visa, Wire Transfer

Shipping

Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense

Artemis Fine Arts

You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 30% and any applicable taxes and shipping.

View full terms and conditions

Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000