Black painted metal mask with a protruding pointed nose. There are red elongated diamond shapes painted around the eyes and red painted around the mouth opening, as well as a red "x" on the forehead. A section of white elastic is tied through a hole at each side of the mask, extending across the back. (Also, see costume: 2956/203 b-c and bells: 2956/203 d-i.)

• History Of Use

  Masquerade costume mask. By 2011, red and black metal masks were only being made in Podence by José Alves. Masquerade and Carnival was suppressed in Podence during the years of Portugal's dictatorship but they were temporarily revived in the 1970s, before almost again disappearing a decade later. The value of this endangered cultural heritage was then realized, leading to its rescue and resurgence to become a symbol of regional identity. Normally only hornless masks are used for performances, in order to safeguard their wearers from being accidentally stabbed.

• Narrative

  José Alves first made many of these masks (see 2956/203-215) to be used by villagers for a performance at EuroDisney in Paris; he later agreed to allow Shelton to purchase them for the MOA collection.

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture Portuguese
• Material tin metal, synthetic fibre, paint
• Measurements height 21.0 cm, width 16.5 cm, depth 8.3 cm (overall)

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• Creator Jose Alves
• Field Collector Anthony A. Shelton
• Previous Owner Anthony A. Shelton
• Received from Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget, Anthony A. Shelton

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• Made in Podence
• Collected in Portugal

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• Creation Date during 2011
• Collection Date between 2011 and 2012
• Ownership Date before September 17, 2012
• Acquisition Date on September 17, 2012

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• Item Classes metalwork
• Condition good
• Current Location Case 97
• Accession Number 2956/0203 a