Papua New Guinea Mask, Cornelius Steenwyk Land Sale Document at Auction

In Willow Auction House’s upcoming December Holiday Uncurated Estate Finds event, a wood carved Upper Sepik River figure mask from Papua New Guinea will be available. As with many Sepik River masks, the available example features a long, sharp nose and recessed features. It also makes prominent use of triangle shapes to evoke a human or spiritual face. Another key lot is a Robert Rauschenberg offset lithograph titled Rays. Signed and numbered in pencil, this piece dates back to 1973. Rauschenberg experimented with textiles and printmaking techniques during this period before beginning metalwork and transfer sculptures. Other key works of fine art in the catalog include paintings by Peter Keil, a landscape by Adolf Schreyer, and an abstract work by Paul Horiuchi. 

Collectors of antique documents can consider a page indicating the 1679 or 1680 sale of land in Bergen, New Jersey between Cornelius Steenwyk and Gerrit Garretson. Steenwyk served as the fourth mayor of New York City from 1668 to 1671; he won a second term in 1682. For a time, Steenwyk was among the richest men in New York City. The available document bears faded but dense script detailing the land sale. Bidders can also consider a pair of Qing Chinese porcelain dragon vases and a Chelsea porcelain figure group. Browse the complete catalog and register to place a bid for any of these items on LiveAuctioneers.