The Iatmul people of the Middle Sepik River region in Papua New Guinea are renowned for their elaborate wood carving and basketry masks used in complex initiation ceremonies. These woven masks are constructed over a cane or rattan armature, then meticulously layered with vegetable fiber and painted with natural mineral pigments. Such ritual objects embody ancestral spirits and play a vital role in the transition of young men into adult society.
Traditionally worn over the head or face during dramatic nocturnal performances, these remarkable artifacts reflect the deep spiritual connection the Sepik River tribes maintain with their natural and mythological environment. The distinctive elongated nose frequently symbolizes mythical water spirits, crocodiles, or hornbills, which hold supreme significance in local cosmology. Over the decades, authentic examples have transitioned from sacred ceremonial use to become highly sought-after centerpieces in international tribal art collections.
* Please note we use AI to create an image of the actual item in an environment where it may be typically found. Sometimes these images do not get the perspective quite right! Please be sure to carefully check item dimensions before purchase. The item shown is the actual item you will receive and our EVE mugs are actual mugs placed next to the item to give you an idea of perspective. Any other backgrounds are artificially added.
Sourced: Normandy, France
Made: Papua New Guinea
Materials: natural plant fibres
Size: largest roughly 60 x 26 x 28 cm, 24 h x 10 x 11 inches
Weight: 600g
Condition: in vintage condition, weathered, loose weave, dusty
Shipped from France
EVE SKU number: 31082026003
Important safety information is located at the bottom of this item description
Find similar items in our store EVEofEurope here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EVEofEurope?ref=seller-platform-mcnav&search_query=figurine
Find similar items in our store EVEdeFrance here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/EVEdeFrance?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=1701502495&from_page=listing&search_query=figurine
Why EVE? – We have extensive experience of trading in antiques and collectables on Etsy for over fifteen years. We have sold online for over twenty five years and have been in global retail for over thirty five years working in the US, the Middle East and all over Europe. We ship thousands of parcels, of all shapes and sizes, flawlessly all over the world every year. We carry perhaps the biggest individual online selection of always at least 10000+ vintage and antique items sourced throughout Europe in our shops on Etsy and our own website. We offer a no quibble refund policy, even if you just change your mind.
PRICE MATCH – Have you found the same item in the same condition cheaper elsewhere? Give us a shout and send us a link to the item and we’ll see what we can do. Where possible we will try to match or even beat our competitors’ prices.
SHIPPING DISCOUNTS – We have 1000’s of items in our Etsy stores and you will generally only pay postage on the heaviest item you buy. The rest, if they individually weigh less than 1kg each, are very often sent free (heavy items do incur an extra fee). Discounts will be automatically applied at checkout for multiple item orders. Shop across our two stores and we will combine postage and find the very best postage deal we can for you. Find out more about our shipping procedures, policies and pricing here: https://www.europeanvintageemporium.com/postage
PACKAGING – Where possible we use recycled or recyclable packaging (All new packaging options are available at checkout for an extra cost). Sometimes this is not possible; For example, paper tape will not stand up to the rigours of international shipping. We are though constantly evolving our business practices to be as environmentally friendly as possible. Did you know Etsy offset carbon emissions on all sales? In partnership with ecologi we also plant a tree for every sale we make on Etsy. You can find out more about this initiative here: https://www.europeanvintageemporium.com/environmentally-friendlier-business/
POLISHING / WAXING / TINT – We sell everything as we find it but we offer a range of polishing, waxing and finishing services. Get in touch if you would like to discuss giving your purchase a makeover! Prices start from 10 Euros for small items.
These links will take you straight to our shop homepages on Etsy:
EVE of Europe (5000+ items): https://www.etsy.com/shop/EVEofEurope
EVE de France (2000+ items): https://www.etsy.com/shop/EVEdeFrance
Mr EVE (500+ items): https://www.etsy.com/shop/MrEVE
EVE DAMON (100 items): https://www.etsy.com/shop/EVEDAMON
You can contact us directly at mail@euviem.com or through Etsy convos.
Favourite our shops and follow us on Facebook – www.facebook.com/EuropeanVintageEmporium , Instagram – www.instagram.com/european_vintage_emporium and Pinterest – www.pinterest.co.uk/EuropeanVintageEmporium to keep track of our latest travels, finds and European capers!
* Note. Postage from France falls into bands. Up to 2kg is a reasonable cost but anything over 2kg gets expensive. The more expensive bands are 2-5kg, 5-10kg, 10-20kg and 20-30kg. So when purchasing multiple orders, we can sometimes make savings over and above automatic postage discounts applied at checkout. For example, if you buy 4 items weighing 2kg each (allowing 2kg for packaging) we can pack those items into a 10kg package. Automatic discounts applied at checkout are usually pretty close but if you are considering multiple purchases and especially from more than one of our shops get in touch with details of the items you are considering buying and we will let you know if we can do any better on postage.
Questions or concerns? Get in touch through Etsy conversations or mail us at mail@euviem.com for a quick response.
Product safety and General Product Safety Regulations (GPSR): Antique and vintage figurines
Intended Use: This vintage / antique item is intended for decorative purposes and light use only.
Condition: Due to its age and previous use, this item will have signs of wear and tear, being made of old materials we cannot guarantee it’s long term durability. Please inspect the item carefully before use.
Stability: Ensure the item is fitted on a flat, stable surface to prevent falling.
Maintenance: Regularly check the item for any signs of deterioration. Repair as necessary. Do not use the item if it shows significant structural damage.
Children: This item is not a toy. Keep out of reach of children to prevent accidents.
Indoor Use: This item is recommended for indoor use only. Exposure to outdoor elements may accelerate wear and compromise safety.
Disclaimer: European Vintage Emporium is not liable for any injuries or damages resulting from the misuse or use of this product. By purchasing this item, you acknowledge and accept the above safety guidelines.
We specialise in often unique vintage and antique items. While we strive to ensure the safety and quality of our products we source and offer for sale, please note that vintage and antique items may not meet current safety standards and regulations. They were created before such regulations existed.
All items are sold as spares / repairs / props and collectibles and are generally intended for decorative purposes only. They may contain materials or components that are not suitable for use by children or in certain environments. Customers are advised to handle these items with care and to keep them out of reach of children.
Everything we sell is on 30 day approval. If it doesn’t work for you as expected just return it for a full refund. We appreciate shopping online is sometimes difficult. You can usually avoid any disappointment by fully reading product descriptions and checking all listing photos where we strive to detail any defects our vintage and antique items may have. Any less than great feedback we receive is nearly always as a result of customers not reading product descriptions or looking at all photos.
If you have any safety queries or issues with our vintage/antique items you should message us on Etsy or contact our “GPSR representative” at mail [!at] euviem.com or write to;
European Vintage Emporium
GPSR (Stephen Miles)
4 Route de la See, Cherence Le Roussel,
50520 JUVIGNY LES VALLEES, France
You can read more on how we are fulfilling our GPSR obligations on new listings created after 13th December 2024 by following this link to our website:
We specialise in often unique vintage and antique items. While we strive to ensure the safety and quality of our products we source and offer for sale, please be aware that vintage and antique items may not meet current safety standards and regulations. They were generally created before such regulations existed.
We also supply damaged and broken items. Prop houses, movie studios and theme parks are some of our biggest customers. Please carefully read item descriptions to avoid any disappointment at your end. If one of our items is priced below typical market prices it will likely be overly damaged in some way.
All of our items are sold as spares / repairs / props and/or collectibles. They are generally intended for decorative purposes only. They may contain materials or components that may not be suitable for use by children or in certain environments. Customers are advised to handle these items with care and to keep them out of reach of children.
New stock listed after 13th December 2024 will contain extra specific safety information in the listing description in relation to the product offered for sale. This is to comply with European GPSR regulations. Items listed before this date will not contain this extra information but please feel free to contact us with any safety or usage queries.
Everything we sell is on 30 day approval. If it doesn’t work for you as expected just return it for a full refund. We appreciate shopping online is sometimes difficult. We do a lot of it! We are often surprised by what we receive. You can usually avoid any disappointment by fully reading product descriptions and checking all listing photos where we strive to detail any defects our vintage and antique items may have. Any less than great feedback we receive is nearly always as a result of customers not reading product descriptions or looking at all photos.
European Vintage Emporium is not responsible for any injury or damage resulting from the use or misuse of our products. By purchasing from European Vintage Emporium, you acknowledge and agree to these terms and conditions.
If you have any safety queries or issues with our vintage/antique items you should message us on Etsy or contact our “GPSR representative” at mail@euviem.com or write to;
European Vintage Emporium
GPSR (Stephen Miles)
4 Route de la See, Cherence Le Roussel,
50520 JUVIGNY LES VALLEES, France
You can read more on how we are fulfilling our GPSR obligations on new listings created after 13th December 2024 by clicking here
The large majority of our stock appears on our website but we always have more listing to do! There is a chance that we may have different items and quantities than those that are listed here immediately available from stock.
We also keep tabs on a lot of outlets in our local areas and also have quite a network of colleagues throughout Western Europe, so we may be able to help source your special requirements. If you would like us to keep an eye out for something or source an item just let us know what you are after and your budget and we will let you know promptly if we can help.
We operate a love it, or return it, no quibble, full refund policy. We appreciate that things sometimes do not fit in or suit quite as expected, and as a result we are happy to provide refunds due to the very nature of online shopping. Buyers will be responsible for return transit costs. To qualify simply let us know you wish to return an item within thirty days of receipt.
Returns are expensive for us and for you! They are rarely requested but when they are it is nearly always as a result of customers not checking item descriptions, sizes or all photos in a listing. Please carefully check item descriptions and photos before purchasing any items from us to avoid any disappointment.
We can only create lay-away accounts or take 20% reservation deposits from customers on our website. Etsy and Ebay do not have the facilty to do this easily.
We are surprised by the high number of customers who fail to return to complete their purchase even after they have paid a 20% deposit. Please make sure you really want the item before enquiring about making a deposit. Items can be reserved for three months after a 20% non-fundable deposit has been made.
Get in touch if you would like to make a 20% NON-REFUNDABLE reservation payment.
We are based in Lower Normandy in France. All of our stock is dispatched from here. Personal collection can be arranged from our buying office or shop in Lower Normandy with 24 hours notice. Ask for details.
Please check listing descriptions for sizes. Most listings have a mug in one of the pictures to give you a relative idea of size. The weight of items is often shown in our listings but some older listings may not contain this information. If you require further measurements or weights just send us a message and we will get back to you promptly.
We ship everywhere! We have shipped tens of thousands of items worldwide over the decades and have plenty of shipping experience. Postage costs will be displayed as you approach checkout. We give significant automatic postage discounts on multiple item orders at checkout with customers only paying postage for the heaviest item they buy.
Postage and packing costs on our own website are often subsidised by us and cheaper than postage charges in our shops on Etsy and Ebay where we have to pay seller fees. Postage prices on our other third party selling venues reflect the actual cost of sending items and do not include multiple item purchase postage discounts on heavier items. It’s always cheaper to shop and ship with us here!
Postage discounts are automatically applied to multiple item orders. You only pay a postage charge for the heaviest single item you buy. For example; if you buy ten items, you will only pay a single postage charge for the heaviest single item. See postage costs for your selected items by proceeding through the checkout process.
Standard postage services usually take 5-15 working days to reach international destinations. Express services usually take 5-10 working days.
Items are usually dispatched within one working day. They typically arrive with customers 3-15 working days (up to 3 weeks) after dispatch depending on your location and the delivery service selected at checkout.
We cannot guarantee any shipping times as we rely on assorted third parties for transit and cross border services. We cannot avoid customs delays for example. All items are sent fully tracked and insured against loss and breakage in transit.
We use the French Post Office (La Poste) who work in conjunction with Postal services in your country to deliver parcels. For example USPS in the USA and Parcelforce in the UK. We can work with other couriers like UPS and DHL but these tend to be at least twice the shipping price.
We can supply personal courier services for urgently required items or large bulk orders in Western Europe. Contact us for details.
Please see our trading policies for more detailed information on shipping or get in touch if you have a question.
Multiple item purchases have postage discounts applied at checkout with customers only paying postage fees for the heaviest item they purchase. The rest are sent free. For example if you buy ten items you only pay postage for the heaviest single item.
Find out more about our best prices here.