Location:
Mezzanin: In the Shadow of Colonialism
Mezzanin: In the Shadow of Colonialism
Location:
Mezzanin: In the Shadow of Colonialism
Mezzanin: In the Shadow of Colonialism
Dance mask
Standort
The dancers at malagan death rituals, during which both creator spirits and ancestors came back to life for a short period of time, wore colourful mask costumes. The human features of the masks imaginatively blended with representations of birds, fish, pigs, and reptiles. Their eyes with snail shell inlays allow the carved masks to appear almost alive. The caterpillar-like hairstyle of these tatanua masks is reminiscent of the hair of close relatives during the months of mourning.
Object data
Inv. No.
69209
Collection
Object Name
Dance mask
Collection
Dated
1902
Accession Date
1902
Material
Wood, rotang, pigment, turbo snail operculum, plant fibres, cotton cloth
Cultural Patronage
Cultural Patronage
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