Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Porapora River
Mask [Mask made from animal cranium with bunches of feathers for the hair] Early to mid 20th Century , frontal section of pig skull, fibre, feather18.0 (h) x 9.0 (w) x 3.0 (d) cm National Gallery of Australia, Canberra NGA 1985.1871 Max Ernst Collection, purchased 1985
This object, created from a section of pig skull, was once in the collection of Dada pioneer and Surrealist Max Ernst. It is one of only a handful known and its function is unclear. It is too small to be worn as a mask and may have been attached to a larger costume or object or even held during performances.
It is one of a group of approximately 15 related examples collected by Pierre Langlois between 1959 and 1960 from the Adjora or Aion people. Some examples are elaborately decorated with cane edging and overmodelled with clay and inlaid shells, but this example relies on the simplicity of form given by the skull section.
This object, created from a section of pig skull, was once in the collection of Dada pioneer and Surrealist Max Ernst. It is one of only a handful known and its function is unclear. It is too small to be worn as a mask and may have been attached to a larger costume or object or even held during performances.
It is one of a group of approximately 15 related examples collected by Pierre Langlois between 1959 and 1960 from the Adjora or Aion people. Some examples are elaborately decorated with cane edging and overmodelled with clay and inlaid shells, but this example relies on the simplicity of form given by the skull section.
This object, created from a section of pig skull, was once in the collection of Dada pioneer and Surrealist Max Ernst. It is one of only a handful known and its function is unclear. It is too small to be worn as a mask and may have been attached to a larger costume or object or even held during performances.
It is one of a group of approximately 15 related examples collected by Pierre Langlois between 1959 and 1960 from the Adjora or Aion people. Some examples are elaborately decorated with cane edging and overmodelled with clay and inlaid shells, but this example relies on the simplicity of form given by the skull section.
