Grom Wanambu village comes this superb old canoo prow shield with mask. We bought it out of an old German collection In the Sepik River region of Papua New Guinea, canoe prow masks served both practical and symbolic purposes: 1. Spiritual Protection • Guardian Spirits: The masks were believed to house protective spirits that safeguarded the canoe and its occupants from harm, such as accidents, attacks, or encounters with malevolent forces on the water. • Ancestral Connection: These masks often represented ancestors or totemic spirits, invoking their guidance and blessings during journeys. 2. Ceremonial Significance • Ritual Journeys: Canoe prow masks played a role during important rituals and ceremonies, such as initiation rites or trading expeditions. • Symbol of Prestige: They reflected the status and identity of the community or clan, as the designs were often unique to specific groups. 3. Aesthetic and Cultural Identity • Distinctive Designs: The masks featured intricate carvings, typically depicting stylized faces or creatures, connecting them to the myths and beliefs of the Sepik people. • Clan Representation: They served as a marker of cultural pride and a visual representation of the community’s traditions. In short, these masks were far more than decorative; they embodied the spiritual, cultural, and social fabric of the Sepik River societies. Welcome addition to any collection of tribal New Guinea Art/oceanic art We pack securely sending worldwide Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024 A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies. A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums   Google:Papua Blues Koos Knol #ttdec