Mask 19th century Probably Umboi or Siassi Islands Artists of the coastal Huon peninsula and the Vitiaz Strait in northeast New Guinea formerly practiced a closely related series of masking traditions that also extended into some portions of the neighboring island of New Britain. The masks depict stylized human faces with pointed ears and open, toothsome mouths typically shown, as here, with short protruding tongues. Representing powerful spirits associated with mens secret societies, the masks appear to have been almost universally associated with male initiation rites. This example may have originated on Umboi Island, where the masks often were worn by men in heavily padded costumes made from bark cloth, or in later times, Western shirts, which gave the performer, and the spirit he represented, a bulky and intimidating appearance.. Mask 311167