Masquerade Costume Mask Item Number: 2956/203 a from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Black painted metal mask with a protruding pointed nose. There are red elongated diamond shapes painted around the eyes and red painted around the mouth opening, as well as a red "x" on the forehead. A section of white elastic is tied through a hole at each side of the mask, extending across the back. (Also, see costume: 2956/203 b-c and bells: 2956/203 d-i.)
History Of Use
Masquerade costume mask. By 2011, red and black metal masks were only being made in Podence by José Alves. Masquerade and Carnival was suppressed in Podence during the years of Portugal's dictatorship but they were temporarily revived in the 1970s, before almost again disappearing a decade later. The value of this endangered cultural heritage was then realized, leading to its rescue and resurgence to become a symbol of regional identity. Normally only hornless masks are used for performances, in order to safeguard their wearers from being accidentally stabbed.
Narrative
José Alves first made many of these masks (see 2956/203-215) to be used by villagers for a performance at EuroDisney in Paris; he later agreed to allow Shelton to purchase them for the MOA collection.
Item History
- Made by Jose Alves (Maker) in Podence, Braganca, Portugal during 2011
- Collected by Anthony A. Shelton in Portugal between 2011 and 2012
- Owned by Anthony A. Shelton before September 17, 2012
- Received from Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) and Anthony A. Shelton (Seller) on September 17, 2012
What
- Name
- Masquerade Costume Mask
- Identification Number
- 2956/203 a
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- tin metal, synthetic fibre and paint
- Overall
- height 21.0 cm, width 16.5 cm, depth 8.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Portuguese
- Creator
- Jose Alves (Maker)
- Field Collector
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Previous Owner
- Anthony A. Shelton
- Received from
- Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) and Anthony A. Shelton (Seller)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Podence, Braganca, Portugal
- Collected in
- Portugal
When
- Creation Date
- during 2011
- Collection Date
- between 2011 and 2012
- Ownership Date
- before September 17, 2012
- Acquisition Date
- on September 17, 2012
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 97
- Accession Number
- 2956/0203 a