Dance mask
1902 | H. I. Parkinson
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.
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.
Collection:
H. I. Parkinson
Time:
1902
Entry Date:
1902
Object Name
Dance mask
Material/technology:
Wood, rotang, pigment, turbo snail operculum, plant fibres, cotton cloth
Copyright
Weltmuseum Wien
Collection area
Oceania and Australia
Invs.
69209