This is a composite tatanua mask from northern New Ireland used as part of a Malagan ceremony. The headdress helmet is made from wicker and wood (Alstonia scholaris) frame decorated with orange crest and panels of red trade cloth at the sides and a green triangle in the centre. The front of the mask has a decorated wooden panel frieze.
Tatanua masks are danced in pairs or by groups of dancers. During the ceremony the ancestor spirits enter the mask and the dancer. Only the strongest may wear the mask, perform the dances correctly and thus ward off the magical spells cast by others at the ceremony.
Mask from New Ireland
Contributed by McLean Museum and Art Gallery
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About this object
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- Location
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New Ireland
- Period
- Theme
- Size
-
- H:
- 40cm
- W:
- 52cm
- Colour
- Material
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Comments
Here are some other Malagan Masks. These are in the collection of the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
Its a pity the license isnt more generous. McLean Museum is mentioned on the relevant article of the English Wikipedia and could be on the Indonesian one but your image is not to be shared. Ask Glasgow! I think they'd want you to share this freely.... oh and well done, the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ site is a start.
See also for examples at other museums too. That article does not contain this image as its copyright is restrictive. Thanks