Papua New Guinea mask - Ramu River mask with natural pigments

Description

Characterful Ramu mask from Papua New Guinea with warm earth pigments and deep patina - an atmospheric piece of tribal art that immediately attracts the attention of advanced collectors.

This elongated Ramu mask from Papua New Guinea (Ramu River region) is carved from a single piece of wood and painted with natural red, white and dark pigments. The stylised facial features with two round “eyes” and raised centre strip give the mask an almost abstract, graphic quality that looks great on the wall or in a display case. The front still shows clear traces of its original ritual use, while the back has a calm, dark brown patina.

Origin & meaning
This Ramu mask is from the collection of Roel & Paulien de Lange, two leading Dutch gallery owners whose estate was auctioned at Venduehuis The Hague in 2024 in the special auction “Collection Roel & Paulien de Lange: The legacy of two devoted gallerists.” Masks from the Ramu River region were used in ceremonial contexts, often attached to constructions or flutes during rituals around ancestors and nature spirits. The contrasting pigment areas and concentric lines allude to strength and protection, while the symmetrical composition gives the mask a strong, timeless look that fits well in a contemporary art collection.

Dimensions & condition
Dimensions approx. 8 cm deep, 14 cm wide and 46 cm high. Wood with natural pigments. Condition is good with normal signs of age, minor signs of use at the ends and old fixing marks at the back, appropriate to its age and use. No known restorations; the surface shows a nice, dry patina that collectors of authentic Ramu masks will appreciate.