Mask (Ges)
Arts of the Pacific Islands
This powerful mask probably represents a ges spirit, a potent and, in this case, probably a destructive spirit force that dwells in the bush. These spirits are said to attack humans who inadvertently see them. The protrusion from the mouth of this mask may represent the liver of a ges victim. Another interpretation, however, holds that it is a protruding tongue, warning of danger to anyone who sought to copy the design of the mask. The nosepiece is a subtle and highly abstract version of the theme of bird and snake in struggle, one of the most common themes in New Ireland sculpture and dance performance. The bird is said to represent the spirit world, while the snake represents the world of mortals—two realms locked in an eternal cosmic struggle.
MEDIUM
Wood, fiber (Turbo petholatus opercula), pigment
DATES
19th century
DIMENSIONS
23 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (59.7 x 29.8 x 40 cm)
(show scale)
INSCRIPTIONS
"72.102" is painted in red on the back of the mask and in red on the proper left forehead.
ACCESSION NUMBER
84.58
CREDIT LINE
Gift of Frieda and Milton F. Rosenthal
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Description: Carved and painted wooden mask with fiber hair and beard attached. The carving is in the Malanggane style with emphasis on negative space; eyes protrude with linear, feather-like elements extending with the top lid; the nose is ornamented with a stylized bird; ears are elongated with triangular holes in the lower lobes and feather-like extensions above the head. Forehead and teeth are prominently carved in relief and painted black. The tongue, painted red, extends to a fraction below the jaw and then rises up in triangular shape to meet the nose. Eye balls are represented by inlaid opercula shell. Only the nostrils and sides of the mouth are perforated. The face, nose, and bird element are covered with fine-line designs in red, black and white.
Condition: Minor repairs have been made in several places; overall loss of paint, the beard hangs loose on proper right side. The piece is on a modern metal stand.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Mask (Ges), 19th century. Wood, fiber (Turbo petholatus opercula), pigment, 23 1/2 x 11 3/4 x 15 3/4 in. (59.7 x 29.8 x 40 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Frieda and Milton F. Rosenthal, 84.58. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 84.58_SL1.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 84.58_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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RECORD COMPLETENESS
Not every record you will find here is complete. More information is available for some works than for others, and some entries have been updated more recently. Records are frequently reviewed and revised, and
we welcome any additional information you might have.
Where might I find other works like this?
This object is from our collection of Arts of the Pacific Islands, a collection area that we currently do not have on view.
The mask, through its imagery, conveys some important cultural beliefs. For example, the highly abstracted imagery of the bird and snake in struggle is one of the most common themes in New Ireland sculpture and dance performance. The bird is said to represent the spirit world, while the snake represents the world of mortals—two realms locked in an eternal cosmic struggle.
I love the shape and color! What can you tell me about this object?
It does have some striking graphic qualities! The mask likely represents a "ges" spirit and was made in Northern New Ireland, in Papua New Guinea. In their culture, the ges spirits were potentially dangerous and believed to live in the bush. One potential interpretation of the red protrusion coming from the mouth area is that it represents the flesh of a victim of the ges. The carving is in the malangaan style, with vivid painted colors and an emphasis on negative space, and was associated with malangaan funerary ceremonies.
