mask
- Museum number
- Am1910,1202.5
- Description
-
Small mask in the shape of a human face with the eyes closed, made in tumbaga by lost-wax casting. It wears nose-ornament and shows limed teeth. Given its small size, it was probably not used as a mask; it might have been part of another object or used assembled to an image of another material. Three rectangular danglers were attached in each side by the ears but just five remain.
- Production date
- 500BC-600
- Dimensions
-
Height: 12 centimetres
-
Width: 12 centimetres
-
Depth: 4.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
McEwan 2009
The closed eyes on this mask signal a focus on the inner world. The pendant dangles and nose ornament indicate high status. Much smaller than life size and lacking eye perforations, like other similar objects it was probably not intended actually to be worn as a mask. It may have formed part of a suite of carefully guarded treasured heirlooms only displayed in the course of elaborate ceremonial events.
-
Vila Llonch 2013
Early Quimbaya people cast very fine objects such as the mask pectoral in the shape of a face, with filed teeth and wearing a nose ornament.
- Location
- On display (G24/dc7)
- Exhibition history
-
Exhibited:
1978-1979, London, BM, The Gold of El Dorado
1996, London, Museum of Mankind (Room 1), Gilded Image
2012 Mar-Jul, Abu Dhabi, Manarat al Saadiyat, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2012-2013 30 Nov-7 Apr, Bonn, Art and Exhibition Hall of the Federal Republic of Germany, Treasures of the World's Cultures
2013 Oct 17-2014 Mar 23. BM, Beyond El Dorado: Power and Gold in Ancient Colombia
- Acquisition date
- 1910
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Am1910,1202.5
