Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number CAS 2014-0001-0010   CAS 2014-0001-0010; Mask carving
Category Carvings
Object Name Mask carving
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Papua New Guinea
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture
Collection Name N/A
Materials Wood; Paint; Cowrie (Cypraeidae) shells
Description Two dimensional wall hanging carving in the form of a mask, carved from a single piece of wood; Mask shows an elongated face with a greatly exaggerated forehead and nose; Entire surface of mask was painted black after it was carved, and then additional decorative carving was done on the forehead and cheeks to form a negative geometric pattern in the natural color of the underlying wood; Each eye is inset with a white cowrie shell; Small hole is cut at top of carving to allow for hanging the carving.
Dimensions (cm) Height = 35.2, Width = 8.4, Depth = 5.2