A Cara Grande Shaman's Mask Tapirape peoples, Brazil, 20th century A construction of a large semi-circular wood board painted black, with a square mouth opening and rectangular eye openings with mother of pearl rectangles inlaid at top and bottom. The front is covered with a mosaic of domestic parrot feathers attached with beeswax and two wood inserts through holes in cheek area. The two inserts have a loosely braided black thread tassel and mother of pearl disks on the flat ends. The whole is framed with layers of rattan strips secured with cotton cord. The free-standing feathers around perimeter are held in position with black thread. In good condition. With a custom metal stand. Provenance: Purchased form Simon World Arts, NY, 1988 Exhibited: From the Spirits: Native Art of the Americas, Cornell Fine Arts Museum, Winter Park, FL, 1992 "This early example of a harvest mask was termed Cara Grande by early Portuguese explorers. Feather headdresses are intended as manifestations of spiritual energy and represented by a carved wood panel with pierced rectangular mouth and eyes with small reeds inset as teeth, and shell plaques overlaying the eye rims. The cheeks are ornamented with two shell disks with attached feathers and suspended black tassels. These masks are used during the Banana Festival when a larger than normal harvest occurs. Dancers appear in pairs, holding the large wooden masks in front of the heads. At the completion of the festival, the masks are stored in the Men's House (Takona) and are never reused." -- from page 90 of the exhibition catalog. Width: 36 inches HID03101062020 © 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved