Description

Mai mask. Mask is long and narrow. The forehead rises at centre, meeting the long, sharp bridge of the nose. Eyes are made of inset cowrie shells, emphasized with black paint. On a light tan background, red-brown linear designs swirl around the eyes and cheeks and along the nose. The mouth of the mask is tubular in shape, protruding above the chin and holding a short snake with a squared head. The lower portion of the mask, as well as its outside edges and forehead, are covered in tiny white-grey shells inset in a light brown mud. Larger concave shells sit at regular intervals, and white cowrie shells line the bottom edge. Long, sparse feathers protrude from both the chin and top of head. A leather cord emerges from the top. Mask is concave on back.