Mask (Ges)
19th century
Maker Unknown
Arts of the Pacific Islands
This powerful mask probably represents a ges spirit, a potent and, in this case, probably a destructive spirit force that dwells in the bush. These spirits are said to attack humans who inadvertently see them. The protrusion from the mouth of this mask may represent the liver of a ges victim. Another interpretation, however, holds that it is a protruding tongue, warning of danger to anyone who sought to copy the design of the mask. The nosepiece is a subtle and highly abstract version of the theme of bird and snake in struggle, one of the most common themes in New Ireland sculpture and dance performance. The bird is said to represent the spirit world, while the snake represents the world of mortals—two realms locked in an eternal cosmic struggle.
- Maker/Artist
- Maker Unknown
- Classification
- Masks
- Formatted Medium
- Wood, fiber (Turbo petholatus opercula), pigment
- Locations
- Place made: Northern region, New Ireland Province, Papua New Guinea
- Dimensions
- 23 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (59.7 x 29.8 x 40 cm)
- Inscribed
- "72.102" is painted in red on the back of the mask and in red on the proper left forehead.
- Departments
- Arts of the Pacific Islands
- Accession Number
- 84.58
- Credit Line
- Gift of Frieda and Milton F. Rosenthal
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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