Sidney and Lois Eskenazi Museum of Art

About this Work

Characteristic of the Sepik River area this basketry mask has a long nose, rounded eyes, relatively small ears, and a crested head with the addition of feathers and other materials. The boar’s tusk in the nose of the mask references the style in which warriors of the region wore tusks.

Representing mythical animals and spirits, masks such as this one were made by the Kapriman peoples and used during initiation ceremonies. When such masks were not being used they were often hung in a ceremonial house. Typically performed in pairs, this mask can be identified as male because of its long nose; female masks have a shorter nose.

In addition to their own use, Kapriman people also traded these masks to neighboring groups such as the Iatmul.