Mask (Ges), 19th centuryUnidentified New Ireland artistNorther Region, New Ireland Province, Papua N
Mask (Ges), 19th centuryUnidentified New Ireland artistNorther Region, New Ireland Province, Papua New GuineaWood, fiber, shell (Turbo petholatus opercula), pigmentUsed in malangan funerary ceremonies, this mask probably represents a ges spirit, which is said to attack humans who see it in the forest. The red and white form protruding from its mouth may denote the liver of a victim—or a tongue, speaking of the danger in store for anyone who copied the mask’s design, its nose is an abstract version of a bird and snake struggling. The bird represents the spirit world, while the snake represents the world of mortals: two realms locked in an eternal, cosmic conflict. -- source link
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