Mask

Item number 1442/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Data
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Description

A wood mask inlaid with beads. The circular eyes have horizontal slits carved out, and metal eyelids, one of which, the top left eyelid, has a diagonal pattern of lines and dotted semi-ovals. The nostrils and the mouth are also carved out. The left eye is surrounded with turquoise beads, then green beads, then purple beads. The right eye is surrounded with blue, red, and white beads, then yellow beads. The rest of the face is has semi-circular rows of multi-coloured beads, except for the long nose which has diagonal rows of multi-coloured beads.

Narrative

The donor described the mask as a burial mask of Gabon, which would have been placed over the face of a chief, to house his spirit in death, in order to avoid its re-entry into the living. He believed the mask to be from the 17th century.