Description

Mai mask. Carving of face is long and narrow, with a pointed head, a ridge running from forehead to nose, and a thick jaw area. A thin piece of shaped wood spans area from chin to bottom of mask. Face is painted in swirl and linear patterns in red, white and black. Jaw is covered in shells inset into mud, with layers of feathers and twisted plant fibre along chin and mask bottom. A collection of twine, feathers and grass is tied through a hole at top, creating a loop for hanging. Interior of mask is concave.