Detail View: The AMICA Library: Mai Mask
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AMICA ID:
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MIA_.85.51
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AMICA Library Year:
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1998
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Object Type:
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Sculpture
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Creator Name:
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Unknown
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Creator Nationality:
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Asian; Pacific; Melanesian; New Guinean; Papuan
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Creator Role:
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artist
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Creator Name-CRT:
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artist unknown
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Title:
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Mai Mask
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View:
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Front
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Creation Date:
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20th century
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Creation Start Date:
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1900
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Creation End Date:
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1999
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Materials and Techniques:
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wood, pigment, cowry shell, hair
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Classification Term:
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Miscellaneous
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Dimensions:
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H.21 x W.4-1/2 in.
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Component Measured:
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overall
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Measurement Unit:
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in
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AMICA Contributor:
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The Minneapolis Institute of Arts
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Owner Location:
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Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
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ID Number:
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85.51
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Credit Line:
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Gift of R. Benjamin and Elizabeth Preus Aune
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Rights:
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Context:
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The Mei masks of the Iatmul people of New Guinea are not face masks, but are tied to a conical structure made of plaited fibers which covers the head and shoulders of a dancer. While similar in shape, the style and decoration of the masks vary by village throughout the Sepik River region. Mei masks usually appear in male and female pairs representing the ancestral sisters and brothers of a village clan. Each clan owns a pair, and when not in use, they are kept in the clan elder's house. The masks are also used in battle to frighten enemies into submission, and to impress young boys during initiation ceremonies. Since the 1960's many traditional villagers have supplemented their incomes by producing mei masks for sale to collectors and the new market opportunities created by growing tourism. |
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Related Image Identifier Link:
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MIA_.2644c.tif
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