Dance mask, Madanh province, Ramu river Ramu River, Papua New Guinea Carved wood, trace of ochre pigment Dimensions: 33 x 15 cm Provenance: Private collection - Private collection Australia Like most masks from the mouth of the Sepik or Ramu rivers, this early 20th-century mask has holes around its perimeter for attaching a dance costume, but here the holes are unusually rectangular. According to Chris Boylan, the mask is associated with the moon, and its use in ceremonial dances is linked to marriage. Oval shape with large forehead. The nose is phallic. This elegant dance mask belongs to the Ramu River stylistic area, although the naturalism of its features and the softness of its volumes make it somewhat different from the highly expressionistic and stylized creations typical of the region. The face, inscribed in a perfect oval with a rounded surface, features a long, slightly arched nose sculpted in high relief, following the curve of the face, whose hemmed nostrils are strongly pierced. The subtle asymmetry of the almond-shaped eyes, hollowed out and set in sunken orbital cavities, and the rictus of the mouth with its upturned corners, give this mask a captivating, expressive presence. The rounded edge of the headdress meets at the center of the forehead in a small, pointed tip. The ears - signified by two vertical elements framing the upper part of the face, and the perimeter of the mask, are pierced with notches, which were intended for hanging various costumes and ornaments. The rectangular shape of these holes is unusual, according to Chris Boylan. The top of the skull is extended by a tenon drilled to suspend the mask when not in use. The dark brown patina, enhanced with ochre-red pigments, adds depth and texture to the carved face, accentuating the mask's naturalistic dimension and fascinating aestheticism. It was associated with the moon and was used for ceremonial dances at weddings.