This rare stone mask was traditionally used as a weight (sinker) for fishing nets at sea, combining practical function with remarkable artistic expression. Carved from dense stone, the mask displays a strong, stylised face with great character and balance, demonstrating how even utilitarian objects were imbued with meaning and aesthetic power. Such sinkers were attached to fishing nets to ensure proper submersion in coastal and offshore waters. Over time, the surface has developed a beautiful natural patina, testifying to age, use, and long exposure to the marine environment. The sculptural quality of the mask elevates it far beyond a simple tool, reflecting deep cultural connections between the sea, subsistence practices, and ancestral presence. Sinkers carved in this form are exceptionally rare, particularly those with such a pronounced and confident style. This example was field collected on Choiseul Island in the Solomon Islands in the 1980s, at a time when traditional fishing practices were still actively in use. A powerful and evocative object from an earlier era, this stone mask-sinker is both a compelling ethnographic artifact and a striking work of Oceanic art. An outstanding addition to any serious collection or museum-level display. Secure, careful packaging and insured, tracked shipping will be provided. 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