"This engaging little piece is a mask that adorned a ritual bamboo flute from the Guam River, a tributary of the Lower Ramu River. The mask was collected by Mark Lissauer, #24407 and has two labels attached — both with slightly incorrect attribution — one says Keram River and the other says "grass country, Sepik River." The piece shows good age, pierced nasal septum, nice aged brown patina on the reverse and the back is concave allowing the mask to fit on the rounded surface of the bamboo flute — many of the newer dubious versions have flat backs and are missing the two knobs on the ends used to lash the mask to the flute. This mask has nice lines, good color and is a very pleasing piece of New Guinea art. It is 12 ½" in height, dates to around 1930. sold