Biwat Mask, Yuat River, Lower Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea

Collected between 1922 and 1928 by a European radio officer working in Papua New Guinea
By descent from the above
Private European Collection, acquired from the above

Good condition for an object of this type and age. General marks, nicks, scratches, small chips and abrasions throughout consistent with age and use. Chipping around rim on reverse, including to two holes for attachment. Vertical hole for attachment at top of mask, opening to loss to top reverse edge. V-shaped hole in proper right cheek, probably from a knot in the wood. Some very minor insect damage (worm holes). Area of surface erosion around front proper left edge. Old loss to lower lip, patinated over. Fine aged surface with black, white, and red pigment.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

While the Biwat created a vast array of mask types, this particular example is part of an extremely limited corpus. Cf. one collected in 1928 by Merk-Ikier in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin (inv. no. "VI 42361", Kelm 1966, vol. 3: ill. 209); a second previously in the collection of Marsha and John Friede and today in the National Gallery of Australia, Canberra (Sotheby's Paris, June 16, 2010, lot 8); a third in the Museum für Völkerkunde, Frankfurt (Stöhr 1972: no. 231); and a forth in the Museum Rietberg Zürich, Zurich (Bühler 1969: no. 23).  According to Bühler (1969:86), this type of mask was displayed during initiation ceremonies together with the sacred flutes and the wusear ancestor figures.  Like the ancestor figures, the masks were venerated as sacred objects possessing supernatural powers, and only initiates were allowed to see them (Mead 1984: 239).