Maori mask

Got this handcarved Maori mask in Rotorua, New Zealand last September. I liked the design of it, especially the paua shell eyes. On the back it says its a Koruru Mask - Carved head or face often used to adorn the front of the meeting house or other important buildings. It's numbered 677.

Nice find!

Kia ora.

The Koruru is a gable mask on the 'whare whakiaro' or carved meeting house. I think the term is used to describe the mask of 'ruru'/owl form (although it often appears as a human-looking face) Often the eyes are much rounder & the brow 'feathers' more pronounced.

Hope this helps. Tama