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Mask

19th century
Not on view
Artists of the coastal Huon peninsula and the Vitiaz Strait in northeast New Guinea formerly practiced a closely related series of masking traditions that also extended into some portions of the neighboring island of New Britain. The masks depict stylized human faces with pointed ears and open, toothsome mouths typically shown, as here, with short protruding tongues. Representing powerful spirits associated with men’s secret societies, the masks appear to have been almost universally associated with male initiation rites. This example may have originated on Umboi Island, where the masks often were worn by men in heavily padded costumes made from bark cloth, or in later times, Western shirts, which gave the performer, and the spirit he represented, a bulky and intimidating appearance.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: Mask
  • Date: 19th century
  • Geography: Papua New Guinea, Umboi or Siassi Island
  • Culture: Probably Umboi or Siassi Islands
  • Medium: Wood, paint
  • Dimensions: H. 18 1/8 × W. 10 3/4 × D. 11 1/4 in. (46 × 27.3 × 28.6 cm)
  • Classification: Wood-Sculpture
  • Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Gift of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1972
  • Object Number: 1978.412.721
  • Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing

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