mask (dance & live theatre)

1996.274

This 20th century mask from Brazil is constructed from a tortoise shell with features moulded from a grey putty-like material, pigmented red on the mouth. Two seeds are set into the moulding material for eyes, and fish jaws are set in the mouth. Other animal materials have been applied as decoration: an armadillo tail on the nose, tortoise scutes on either side of the face, two rib bones above the mouth, and caiman scutes on the forehead. At the top of the head is a single vertebra, probably from a reptile. Several pieces of amethyst are set into the mask. Two masks, including this one were donated to the Horniman Museum by ..:..:..:..:perspectives:museum:masks:objects:2330|Mr. James Pearson in 1996.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
1996.274
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 237 mm x 154 mm x 83 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
tortoise carapace; bone; tail; teeth; seeds; amethyst; processed material
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
On display: Horniman Museum > World Gallery > Perspectives > Museums perspective - back wall
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Collection Information

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