New Caledonia Kanak "Apouema" Mask.....Paris Exposition 1889.

Description

This is a rare Kanak "Apouema" mask which was manufactured for the Paris Exposition of 1889 - "
Exposition Universelle of 1889"
.
Very few of these masks were made for that exposition. They were the last of the authentic kind (the "progeny" of the earlier ritual masks which were made to commemorate dead chief's), made exclusively for European exhibitions, and, when taken back to New Caledonia - probably passed down as important Kanak family heirlooms  - before being sold to the European visitors in the early 20th century.
Of course, this specimen is not of the same caliber as their older "ancestors", the bulk of which were collected in the mid 19th century or earlier by Europeans, which can sell for over ,000 in today's market  - nonetheless, this piece is very rare and highly important in its own right. It was manufactured by the same Kanaks whose forefathers made the older sacred mask some decades earlier....
Amongst many other attractions, the 1889 Exposition featured a number of habitations and villages of France's colonies  - in Africa and the Pacific Ocean - including New Caledonia. These habitations exhibited costumed residents, their traditional artwork (like this mask - which was used as the finials of totem poles (see last photo)).
There is a wealth of interesting information about the 1889 Paris Exposition on the net.
This specimen truly is a wonderful and very rare piece and as far as I know, only a few exist  - one piece is (or was) in the possession of a dealer based in France, and another is part of a European gentleman's collection of important Oceanic  material . This specimen, is the only other piece extant.
Measures 15 inches (38 cms) in length....and 6 inches (15 cms) wide at mid-section.
This piece has a long age crack - but is stable......
****SEE PHOTOS FOR BEST DESCRIPTION.
**Metal stand is NOT included.