Mask
ca. 1880 (1918) | Hans Meyer
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:
Hans Meyer (1858 - 1929) DNB
Time:
ca. 1880 (1918)
Entry Date:
1918
Object Name
Mask
Material/technology:
Wood, pigment, coconut, turbo snail operculum
Copyright
Weltmuseum Wien
Collection area
Oceania and Australia
Invs.
101259
Browse more Similar items you might be interested in
Consul Johann Schild with two civil servants in front of a house Johann Schild ca. 1900
Johann Schild with his guests; some of them are probably musicians from the group Neumann Boom Johann Schild ca. 1900
