This mask was created by an artist of the Tapirapé peoples of Brazil out of wood, fiber, cotton rope, mother of pearl, and feathers from tropical parrots and raptors. This type of mask is known as "Cara Grande," or "Great Face" in Portuguese. Similar masks are held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art as well as the Museum of The Red River amongst few of many places to exhibit this art. This piece is tagged with authenticity (as shown in photo).

The Tapirapé are a group of Tupi-speaking horticulturalists living at the mouth of the Tapirapé River, a tributary of the Araguaia which forms the border between the states of Mato Grosso and Goiás. There are at present [1966-1967] over 80 Tapirapé gathered in one village, a remnant population of a group which may have numbered close to 1,000 or more at the turn of the century. They are known for their elaborate masked ceremonial dances. 

The "Cara Grande" or "Upe" masks of the Tapirapé shamans from the Amazon region are profound cultural artifacts that embody the spiritual and ritualistic traditions of this indigenous group in Brazil. These masks are central to the Tapirapé spiritual practice, primarily used in ceremonial contexts to connect with supernatural forces and ancestral spirits.

They are crafted from natural materials sourced from their environment, the Upe masks are large and imposing, designed to cover the entire head and often extending over the body. These masks typically feature bold, abstract patterns and vibrant colors that are believed to enhance the mask’s power to communicate with the spiritual realm and to protect the community during rituals.

The Upe masks are worn by shamans during important community rituals such as healing ceremonies, rites of passage, and other communal gatherings that require spiritual intervention. The shamans, acting as mediators between the physical world and the spiritual world, use these masks to embody the spirits, channeling their energies to invoke healing, fertility, or protection against malevolent forces.

The elaborate design and size of the Upe masks are intended not only to frighten away evil spirits but also to reaffirm the social roles and spiritual responsibilities of the shamans within the Tapirapé community. These masks are not mere ceremonial objects but are regarded as sacred tools that maintain the balance and well-being of the tribe.

In this way, the Upe masks of the Tapirapé shamans are more than artifacts; they are vital to the cultural identity and spiritual health of the community, reflecting a deep connection with the Amazonian ecosystem and the ancestral wisdom that has sustained the Tapirapé people through generations.

Note: The photos provided accurately depict the overall condition that should be considered as part of the description

Please be advised that there is some acquired dust; however; due to the delicacy of the mask, it has not been attempted to be cleaned. Although this does not take away from the esthetics of this piece. There is also some feathers that appear to be missing from one of the mother of pearl circles (as shown in photos).

Approximate Measurements: 

Measuring from opposites sides of the feathers - 20" L Measuring from base of mask to top of blue feather - 24" H (or 27.5" to top of orange feather)Strings hang 8.5" on one side and 11" on the other.