AZ15 Mwai Mei Ancestor Mask c1950
$450.00
Item # AZ15
Description Very old original Mwai or Mai Ancestor Mask with good carving and intact shell work, also with human hair, aquired by an Australian Patrol Officer in the Middle Sepik in the 1950’s. A lot of Mwai masks are tourist pieces but this is a nice original. Mwai masks represent the spirits of totemic names. During initiations a tribal elder who wears a Mwai mask becomes a spirit teacher who may say the important totemic names without evoking personal risk. He calls out names used in magic, for healing and for other spiritual uses.
Size 93cm * 23cm
Price USD$450
