Mau. <em>Koma Ba Mask</em>, late 19th-early 20th century. Wood, cowrie shells, metal, feathers, horns, leather, fiber, sacrificial materials, 41 x 11 x 11 in. (104.1 x 27.9 x 27.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Marcia and John Friede, 76.20.2. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 76.20.2_SL1.jpg)

Koma Ba Mask

Artist:Mau

Medium: Wood, cowrie shells, metal, feathers, horns, leather, fiber, sacrificial materials

Geograhical Locations:

Dates:late 19th-early 20th century

Dimensions: 41 x 11 x 11 in. (104.1 x 27.9 x 27.9 cm)

Collections:

Exhibitions:

Accession Number: 76.20.2

Image: 76.20.2_SL1.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Mask (composite-bird, animal, human). It has a large curved bird-like beak for a mouth that is open. Inserted into the back of the mouth is a medicine bundle with hair protruding on right side. Across the top rear of the mouth, cowrie shells have been embedded in a band and a horn. The eyes are slit-shaped and void; the nose is visible but heavily encrusted with various types of material. Two horns extend on either side of the forehead.The forehead is heavily encrusted with various types of substances including mud, string horns, nails and what appears to be three shotgun shell casings. At the top are two ears, two wooden horns, and a large cluster of brown feathers. Condition: All of the added parts and various substances are loose. Parts of the heavily encrusted sections of the forehead are breaking away. This piece was examined by Conservation shortly after arrival.

Brooklyn Museum