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Woven rattan helmet-type mask with attached clay covered rattan disk as face.  Large pierced nose.  Cowrie shell beard.  Small slit mouth and eyes.  Surrounded by cassowary feathers.
Initiation Mask
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Initiation Mask

Maker Iatmul , Korogo village
Date20th century
Place of originNew Guinea, Asia
MediumRattan, wood, clay, seeds, cowrie shells, cassowary feathers, pigment
Dimensions19 x 13 1/4 x 15 5/8 in. (48.3 x 33.7 x 39.7 cm)
ClassificationsClothing and accessories
Credit LineGift of Dr. Samuel Spring and Marion D. Jorgensen
Object numberS85-SPNG-G28
Collections
Visual DescriptionWoven rattan helmet-type mask with attached clay covered rattan disk as face. Large pierced nose. Cowrie shell beard. Small slit mouth and eyes. Surrounded by cassowary feathers.
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