Ancestor Mask Item Number: 3573/26 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Murik Lakes ancestor mask. Carving of an oblong and narrow face, with a prominent nose with a curved tip extending beyond the lower part of the face. The nose has two columns of holes drilled above the nostrils(?), and along the outer edge of each ear. Mask is painted red for the lips, ears, and extending down from the eyes to the nose, black on the lower portion of the face, extending up and around the eyes, and with white lime pigment in the designs on the forehead. The small eyes and mouth are cutout. Plant fibre is looped through the top. Interior of mask is concave.

Narrative

Purchased by the donor in San Francisco, c. 1991.