Summary

Note: This object is for use as 'black face' and is a derogatory depiction of a particular cultural group. Such activities are not condoned by Museums Victoria which considers them to be racist. Historical distance and context do not excuse or erase this fact.

Colour printed, paper mask featuring a black face, large red lips and round eye holes for viewing. The mask is likely to be a novelty item for a show bag in the 1950s-1960s, one of innumerable examples of the trade bags which have been sold at the Royal Melbourne Show and other agricultural shows to promote the goods of local manufacturers. At this time, a number of products were marketed using racist depictions of Australian Aboriginal and African peoples.

Physical Description

Thin paper mask in the shape of a face, printed black with red lips an holes punched out for looking through. The reverse has a piece of string attached at both ends by tape to create a strap.

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