Context (Field collection)
This mask was purchased on 22 April 2000 at Sizana Curios and Crafts, 171 Old Main Road, Botha's Hill, KwaZulu Natal, South Africa.

This object was collected by Julia Tanner while undertaking fieldwork in South Africa from March-May 2000. The fieldwork was financed by MAA's Crowther-Beynon Fund, in order to research and update MAA's South African collections.
Event Date 22/04/2000
Author: maa

Context (Analysis)
Mask-making was not traditionally a South African art form. However, the maker, Michael Gasa recognised a niche in the retail market and began to make masks for sale.
Event Date 2001
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Production / use)
The maker: Michael Gasa was born on 20 November 1974. He completed grade 8 at the local high school. He started doing woodcarving in 1998 when he realised that there were no jobs available. The Gasa family is very prominent in the area due to their long association with the Zulu dancing troupes attached to the Phe-Zulu cultural Village.
Event Date 2001
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Physical description)
Long, convex wooden mask of approximately the same width from top to bottom. It is made of a dark unpolished wood that has been glazed or varnished. An elongated face comprises a high, narrow forehead; straight, narrow nose; heavy chin; broad neck and domed head. It has small open-carved eyes and mouth. The underside is carved out forming a canoe-like depression, with a curve at the head and an open end at the neck. Rough tool marks are clearly evident on the underside. A piece of green nylon cord is stapled to the rear upper edges for hanging.
Event Date 5/5/2012
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Mask made by Michael Gasa. Long, convex wooden mask made of a dark unpolished wood that has been glazed or varnished. It has small open-carved eyes and mouth. A piece of green nylon cord is stapled to the rear upper edges for hanging.
Event Date 12/1/2023
Author: Lucie Carreau