Carved and painted wood mask. The mask is long and thin, with a long nose that curves and connects with the mouth area. The eyes are inlaid cowrie shells within a painted black area. The jaw and mouth area are also inlaid with two rows of cowrie shells - small shells around the interior, and larger shells around the outer edge. The jaw is lined with dark brown plant fibre beard on a braided cord. At the top centre of the head is a hole with a short length of braided plant fibre tied looped through.

• Narrative

  Dr. Frits Bossen was 28 years old when he was posted to Samoa, in 1973, as a veterinarian on a training assignment with the FAO/UNDP. While there he also traveled to other islands in the area. In the early 1980s he traveled through the South Pacific again.

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture New Guinea
• Material cowrie shell, wood, plant fibre, paint
• Measurements height 59.5 cm, width 22.0 cm, depth 9.5 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Frits Bossen
• Received from Frits Bossen

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• Made in Papua New Guinea
• Collected in Suva

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• Collection Date between 1973 and 1975
• Ownership Date before August 19, 2020
• Acquisition Date on August 19, 2020

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3439/0001