Over-modelled mask (E80490)

Lower Sepik, East Sepik Province, Papua New Guinea. Turtle shell, clay, shells, cassowary feathers, human hair - Over-modelled masks (in this case, over a turtle shell) were first made following the ban on selling over-modelled skulls after the independence of PNG in 1975. They are still produced by Lower Sepik villages for the tourist market. The designs and themes of the masks reflect the taste of the contemporary carver and have little relevance to traditional mythology.