Q: I found this mask years ago, but always wonder it’s value and it’s authenticity. Sukelly, 1785

A: And well you should. It is from the undiscovered tribal areas of Papua New Guinea. We can tell because metal tools were not used to carve the mask. The large areas of the Sepic River area were only beginning to be discovered by white men in the early days of the 20th century… there were still a few undiscovered tribes in 2000!

This artifact is authentic. It was probably hung on the outside of the owners hut or the inside of a meeting house, and represents the spirit of an important ancestor. You would do well to keep it, sell to a serious collector, or give it to a museum. Thanks for showing it to us. Of course, it gets an A.