Collection: Guy Spilers/Rene Van den Berghe (further information below)

This is a wonderful and unique Men's Initiation Mask from the Lewa, Vokeo Island, Shouten Islands, Papua New Guinea. This type of mask is know as a "lewa" mask and represents a male masked spirit or deity. This is a distinct Lewa mask, black pigment, the medial ridge of the forehead and then gracefully transforms into the long, curved nose and a wood bite bar in the back for wearing the mask. They say the people had masked spirits called "Lewa" that instituted prohibitions against certain garden produce that enable ritual leaders to stockpile food to be used later during important ceremonies and festivals. Still has signs of resin around the mask eyes where further decorations would have been placed, beautiful patina. This is a rare and unique one of a kind mask and would be a wonderful addition to your collection. This is a stunning collectors piece.

Close friends, Rene Vanden Berghe and Guy Spilers found themselves living a life of adventure they sought out and embraced. Born in Belgium just prior to WWII, they spent their youth under German occupation. After the war, the adventures continued with National Service in 1953-54 serving in an elite battalion: the para-commando platoon. After military service was over, Rene studied tropical agriculture and used a government grant to start a coffee plantation in the Belgian Congo where he only escaped by “the skin of his teeth” when he had to flee during the Lumumba Insurrection in 1961. He and Guy then emigrated to Australia where they secured employment as overseers for the Catholic Church Mission in New Ireland – running a plantation from 1962-72. Their knowledge, diligence and military training saw the plantation prosper despite tribal fights, earthquakes, riots and the occasional confrontation with axe and knife-wielding workers. Their practical skills were balanced by a love of art, photography and travel. A talented amateur photographer, Rene left an extensive collection of photographs of their experiences and travels. After leaving the plantation they traveled throughout Melanesia, French Polynesia and Micronesia, Europe, Asia and South America before settling in Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. They collected tribal art pieces throughout their travels to inspire Rene’s love of painting and sculpture.

- STANDS ARE NOT INCLUDED WITH ANY ITEM –

- Pictures make up part of the description -