Black painted metal carnival mask with two black horns extending up from the forehead, a large protruding angular nose and openings for the eyes and mouth. A red tongue protrudes from the bottom of the mouth opening. Red oblong shapes are painted around the eyes and a thick red line is painted around the mouth and in a U-shape between the base of the horns on the forehead. The tips of the horns are white, and there are four white teeth painted above the mouth opening. There is one hole in the centre top of the mask, and one on each side.

• 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 only later agreed to allow Shelton to purchase them for the MOA collection.

• 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. Horned masks are made as souvenirs.

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture Portuguese
• Material tin metal, paint
• Measurements height 31.0 cm, width 14.5 cm, depth 12.0 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 between 2010 and 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
• Accession Number 2956/0213