Chameleon mask

Nuna or Ko blacksmith

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 341

Revered for its associations with adaptability, the chameleon is a popular subject of protective brass pendants, divination rings, and masks among Nuna and Ko patrons. The orientation of this mask draws inspiration from the natural behaviors of chameleons. A performer wore the head at face level, with the reptile’s body extended vertically as though it were climbing down a tree. Intricate incised patterns served as visual cues to educate young men about clan history and the spiritual and moral laws governing village life.

Chameleon mask, Nuna or Ko blacksmith, Ceiba(?) wood, pigment, fiber, Nuna or Ko peoples

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Chameleon mask, Nuna or Ko blacksmith, Ceiba(?) wood, pigment, fiber, Nuna or Ko peoples
Chameleon mask, Nuna or Ko blacksmith, Ceiba(?) wood, pigment, fiber, Nuna or Ko peoples

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