2003.38 Mask

Originally painted white, this old and well used mask’s long sallow face with its parted mouth, bared teeth, and a jutting chin evoke the sly and menacing persona of Indai guru’, a female spirit that lurks in lofts and along the far reaches and edges of the longhouse. The mask was worn by an older woman who skillfully performed theatrical gestures. Depending upon the context, she attempted to scare children, who ran shrieking into the protective arms of their waiting parents, or she playfully harangued the masculinity of the male members of the longhouse and their guests in a comedic farce.

Among the Iban, the use of masks is often associated with entertainment and protecting crops. Made more often for pleasure than for use in serious rituals, the masks are not made solely by experts. This exceptional mask was carved by a very skilled hand. It also displays concentrations of patina developed with use and age.

Roslyn A. Walker, Label text, 2013.

1970s: Steven G. Alpert, purchased in Sarawak 3rd Division

n.d.: Brill collection, New York, purchased from above

1980s: Steven G. Alpert, purchased from above

n.d.: Yellin collection, Santa Monica, California, purchased from above

2003: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of Albert and Elissa Yellin [1]

Notes:

The main source for this provenance is the digital collections record.

[1] See the copy of the Deed of Gift in the Collections Records object file (2003.38).

Apply to objects where number equals 2003.38