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A Tribal Yassan 'Mwai' Mask, Middle Sepic River, Paupua New Guinea
Sold by Hand of Glory
sold SA1166831
Sorry, but this item has been sold.
Hand of Glory

Hand of Glory

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jul 2012
Browse dealers 173 items
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Id #SA1166831
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A Tribal Yassan 'Mwai' Mask, Middle Sepic River, Paupua New Guinea

1920 - 1940
Sold 4 April 2026 · Hand of Glory
This “Tribal Yassan 'Mwai' Mask, Middle Sepic River, Paupua New Guinea” found a buyer.

It was listed by Hand of Glory. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.

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Description

A Yessan 'Mwai' mask, Middle Sepic River, Papua New Guinea, carved wood decorated with pigment and fibre and with cowrie shell eyes.

NB: A mwai mask is a sacred, spirit-based mask from the the Middle Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea, representing mythical sibling spirits who serve as teachers in male initiation ceremonies. These masks, characterized by elongated faces and noses, were once fastened to conical costumes worn by elders who embodied these spirits to perform rituals and communicate with clan ancestors.

From the collection of Nicolas Kinloch, collected in Papua New Guinea in 2014.

Physical Dimensions
Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Declaration

Hand of Glory has dated this Tribal Yassan Mwai Mask to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1166831
Dealers Internal Reference
SKU00000941
Description
A Yessan 'Mwai' mask, Middle Sepic River, Papua New Guinea, carved wood decorated with pigment and fibre and with cowrie shell eyes.
“
NB: A mwai mask is a sacred, spirit-based mask from the the Middle Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea, representing mythical sibling spirits who serve as teachers in male initiation ceremonies.
Hand of Glory

These masks, characterized by elongated faces and noses, were once fastened to conical costumes worn by elders who embodied these spirits to perform rituals and communicate with clan ancestors.

From the collection of Nicolas Kinloch, collected in Papua New Guinea in 2014.

Height
43cm (16.93")
Width
22cm (8.66")
Depth
9cm (3.54")
Date of Manufacture

Hand of Glory has dated this Tribal Yassan Mwai Mask to the 1930s.

Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1166831
Dealers Internal Ref
SKU00000941
Hand of Glory
Hand of Glory
Sellingantiques verified Since Jul 2012

Decorative antiques & interiors

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Hand of Glory Profile Page

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An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO
1 / 5
Archive I An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. SOLD6+ MONTHS AGO

A Tribal Yassan 'Mwai' Mask, Middle Sepic River, Paupua New Guinea

Archive II An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. View II
Archive III An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. View III
Archive IV An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. View IV
Archive V An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black. View V
Enlarged Archival View
Hand of Glory

Hand of Glory
Telephone 07867 305451 or 01249 447478
Location
Hand of Glory Antiques
34 Market Place
Chippenham
Wiltshire
SN15 3HP
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/handofglory
Verified Since Jul 2012
Items For Sale 173
Items Sold 2,462
Hand of Glory
Hand of Glory
Verified Since Jul 2012
View Dealer Info
Location: Hand of Glory Antiques, 34 Market Place, Chippenham, Wiltshire, SN15 3HP, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/handofglory
Verified
Jul 2012
For Sale
173
Sold
2,462
An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black.
A Tribal Yassan 'Mwai' Mask, Middle Sepic River, Paupua New Guinea
Ref: SA1166831
An oval wooden tribal mask featuring a prominent elongated nose, cowrie shell eyes, natural fiber tassels, and painted geometric patterns in white, ochre, and black.
Detail View 1
Detail View 2
Detail View 3
Detail View 4
Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectWall Art & Masks
  • Period1920 - 1940
  • StyleTribal / Ethnic
  • MaterialWood, Pigment, Cowrie Shells, Fibre
  • ColourMulticoloured
  • MotifsElongated nose, Cowrie shell eyes, Geometric pigment patterns, Natural fibre tassels
  • SizeH 43 cm (17 in) x W 22 cm (9 in) x D 9 cm (4 in)

FAQs

Sepik River masks from Papua New Guinea are traditionally carved for use in initiation ceremonies, agricultural rituals, and ancestral veneration, holding deep spiritual importance within indigenous communities.

These artifacts are typically hand-carved from native hardwoods and decorated using natural earth pigments such as lime, ochre, and charcoal, often incorporating organic fibres and shells.

Authentic pieces generally exhibit traditional tool marks, genuine age-related wear to the organic materials, authentic patination, and stylistic adherence to specific regional iconography.

Displaying such an object as a focal point on a plain neutral wall allows the intricate carvings, pigments, and cultural textures to stand out without visual competition.

To preserve wooden and organic tribal items, keep them out of direct sunlight, maintain stable relative humidity levels, and gently dust with a soft, dry brush.
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