GABLE MASK 

Karawari River region 

Sepik River 

Papua New Guinea

This large simple mask is woven of cane, with wide open eyes and mouth, painted in eath pigments and decorated with cassowary feathers. The Gable Mask is not worn, but is an important feature on the Men’s Ceremonial House, on its gable end. There are usually two similar masks, one each on each gable end of the roof. The roof projects over the mask, to protect it from weather. The function of this mask is to observe village customs; to make sure people adhere to these customs. Because the roof of the Ceremonial House is so high, as high as the coconut trees, this mask can see everything that happens in the village.

Size: 70 cm (length)

         41 cm (width)

Weight:  791 grams