Collection Online

Mask
(mid 20th century)

Medium
earth pigments on wood, shells, cowrie shells, fibre, cane, metal, resin, ivory (pig tusk)

Measurements
110.2 × 22.5 × 11.2 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Purchased, 1965
© the artists

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Tambanum village, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
D67-1971

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
Stylised elongated oval shaped mask. The whole surface except for the areas around the eyes and nose covered in cowrie shells set in resin and of spiral-shells. The eyes are 2 inset spiral shells with painted black surround. The remaining area and nose painted in swirling patterns. The nose extended to the chin where it ends in a crocodile head. The mouth is slit beneath the curved extended nose.