MASQUE, TUKMAN, ÎLE YUO, PROVINCE DE L'EAST SEPIK, PAPOUASIE-NOUVELLE-GUINÉE |

Masque, Tukman, Île Yuo, Province de l'East Sepik, Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée

Chris Boylan, Sydney, acquis in situ en 1975
Collection Alex Philips, Melbourne
Collection John et Marcia Friede, New York
Michael Hamson, Palos Verdes
Collection Elizabeth Pryce, Sydney

Very good condition overall. Minor chips, scratches, marks and abrasions throughout consistent with the object’s age and use within the culture. Original berry embellishment around both eyes and mouth intact, with only one missing, and fibre attachment in very good condition. Some cracks to the encrusted pigment around the eyes. Much of the red pigment remains, and is particularly strong on the nose. Fine, encrusted patina. Small labels bearing Elizabeth Pryce collection inv. no. EP-61, Michael Hamson no. MHM-95 and "Alex.W.L Fillippini No-018"; all labels on reverse of mask.
"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."

Âgé d'à peine huit ans lorsque son père lui offrit sa première sculpture, Chris Boylan affirma très tôt son goût certain pour l’art Océanien. Jeune étudiant en d’architecture il séjourne en Papouasie-Nouvelle-Guinée dans les années 70 pour aider à la construction de maisons Abelam. Au cours des très nombreux voyage qu'il entreprend dans la région, ilacquiert des œuvres mais aussi remplit de nombreux carnets de notes qui constituent aujourd’hui des sources essentielles pour la compréhension de ces créations. Ce sont ces notes qui permettent aujourd'hui d’identifier ces deux masques, longtemps attribués à la région du Sepik, à des créations originaires des Îles Schouten. Au sein de cet archipel, un système d’échanges très structuré s’est installé entre les différentes îles. Si les noix de galip ou les porcs, nécessaires à l’organisation d’une grande cérémonie, sont les principales valeurs à circuler, il arrive que d’autres biens intègrent ces échanges. C’est le cas de ces deux masques, créés sur l’île de Koil et apportés sur l’île de Yuo afin de participer aux cérémonies tangbal visant à assurer le succès de la pêche et la fertilité des jardins et des cocoteraies. Appelés boiru pour le premier masque au long nez et natkaram pour le second, ces œuvres sont les témoins éloquents des échanges traditionnels de cette région. L’utilisation des graines, les caractéristiques morphologiques des visages et leur décor polychrome sont caractéristiques des créations de cette région. On les retrouve sur un masque étroitement apparenté, exposé en 1990 au Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller (Sculpture from Africa and Oceania, 1990, p. 228, n° 86).

Chris Boylan was only eight years old when his father gave him his first sculpture, and very early on he asserted his taste for Oceanic art. As a young architecture student he went to Papua New Guinea in the 1970s to help build Abelam houses. He travelled extensively in the region, not only acquiring pieces, but also filling many notebooks, which are now essential sources for understanding these creations.

Thanks to these notes it was possible to identify these two masks, long attributed to the Sepik region, as creations originating from the Schulten Islands. Within this archipelago, a highly structured exchange complex developed between the various islands. Although galip nuts and pigs - essential for the organization of a great ceremony - were the main values in circulation, other goods did integrate the system. It was the case with these two masks, created on Koil island and which came to Yuo island to participate in the tangbal ceremonies, that were held to ensure successful fishing expeditions and abundance in the vegetable gardens and coconut groves. Known as boiru for the first mask with a long nose, and natkaram for the second, these pieces are testaments to the traditional exchanges within this region. The use of seeds, the morphological characteristics of the faces and the polychromatic decor of the two masks are characteristic of the creations of this region. They can also be found on a closely related mask exhibited in 1990 at the Rijksmuseum Kröller-Müller (Sculpture from Africa and Oceania, 1990, p. 228, No. 86).