Large mask of wood. The eyes are inlaid cowrie shells with painted designs extending out from a star-like centre. Large protruding nose has pig tusks extending out of each nostril, with a string of bird feathers attached on both sides. The forehead, nostrils and chin are decorated with red clay inlaid with small white shells. Long black cassowary feathers extend out of the top of the head. The jaw is lined with a fringe of plant fibre. The face is painted with concentric curved lines extending out from the eyes, and the ears are painted with stripes and have many holes in a vertical line. The back of the mask is painted black.

• Narrative

  Collected by Jack Lieber in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 - June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture New Guinea
• Material wood, pig tusk, cassowary feather, feather, paint, plant fibre, clay, shell, cowrie shell
• Measurements height 123.0 cm, width 37.0 cm, depth 15.0 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
• Received from Iris Lieber

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• Made in East Sepik

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• Collection Date between 1970 and 1972
• Ownership Date before 2015, before December 8, 2017
• Acquisition Date on December 8, 2017

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• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3277/0025