A very rare museum quality old ceremonial costume created from hammered wood pulp or bark cloth and organic pigments. The Ticuna (also known as Tukuna or Tikuna) live in the Amazon rain forest of Brazil, near the borders of Peru and Colombia. They were among the first major Amazonian tribes to come into contact with Europeans. However, despite the passing of more than 400 years, the Ticuna have preserved their traditional religion, rituals, language, and art forms. They are one of the last remaining large indigenous populations in Brazil. The Ticuna are known especially for their ritual masks and costumes. This body mask is made predominantly of bark cloth with raffia fringe. It features a pigmented beeswax face and added eyes and mouth, painted tree like and star shaped designs. Traditionally, this type of mask was worn by men during girls’ initiation ceremonies. The costume measures approximately 64 inches tall. Ex collection Andy Peter Antippas, New Orleans, LA.

Fair, field used