Rare masque, environs de Singarin, Bas Sepik, Papouasie Nouvelle-Guinée

Ancienne collection Sir Jacob Epstein, acquis vers 1930 (probablement lot n° 22 de la vente Sotheby's du 30 avril 1930, à Londres)
Ancienne collection Carlo Monzino, acquis en 1959
Collection Marcia et John Friede, New York

Reproduit dans :
Bassani et McLeod, Jacob Epstein Collector, 1989 : 44, n° 55 et 130, cat. n° 422

Exposé et reproduit dans :
Fagg, The Epstein collection of primitive and exotic sculpture, 1960, n° 159, catalogue de l'exposition, The Art Council, Londres, 1960

Very good condition overall. Wear consistent with age and use within the culture. X-ray examination of the mask shows there are no breaks and no restoration has taken place. A thin crack at the mid-height of the nose has been filled.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

La physionomie - nez effilé projeté dans l'espace, s'étirant bien au-delà du menton - apparente sans aucun doute ce très rare masque aux classiques ornements de flûtes sacrées, de plus petites dimensions, collectés au début du siècle dans les villages de Kopar et de Singarin (cf. Kelm, 1966, vol.III : 179-188 pour des masques de flûtes conservés au Museum für Völkerkunde de Berlin).

A la ligne - cinglante - du nez font écho les motifs modelés ou peints dont les obliques convergentes accentuent la formidable dynamique de la sculpture. Superbe patine, brune et profonde, rehaussée de blanc de chaux et de pigments ocre rouge. Sculpté à l'outil de pierre.

A rare mask, Singarin area, Lower Sepik, Papua New Guinea

The physiognomy of this mask, with its sharp nose projecting into space and extending well beyond the chin, is undoubtedly related to the small sacred flute ornaments which were collected at the beginning of the 20^th century in the villages of Kopar and Singarin (cf. Kelm, 1968, vol. III: 178 – 188 for flute masks in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin).  The line of the nose is echoed in the convergence of the angled designs which accentuate the dynamism of the mask. The superb deep brown patina is enhanced by white lime and red ochre pigments. Carved with stone tools.