Funerary Mask
P4555
From: Bismarck Archipelago | Papua New Guinea | New Ireland
Curatorial Section: Oceanian
| Native Name | Tatanua |
| Object Number | P4555 |
| Current Location | Collections Storage |
| Provenience | Bismarck Archipelago | Papua New Guinea | New Ireland |
| Date Made | 1910-1913 |
| Section | Oceanian |
| Materials | Wood | Plant Fiber | Rattan | Cotton | Feather | Lime | Sea Snail Operculum | Pigment |
| Technique | Carved |
| Description | Funerary mask (tatanua). Carved wooden face surmounted by large semi-circular headdress of trade cloth and plant fiber. Eyes of sea snail opercula. Red, black and white pigment. Helmet mask worn by male dancers in performances at large scale, clan-sponsored multi-village mortuary celebrations. The crest of fiber “hair” may refer to a tradition in which, as part of mortuary observances, young men shaved the sides of their heads, which were then covered with a plaster of powdered lime. The two sides of a mask always differ, and the line of dancers turns to display each in turn. |
| Height | 42 cm |
| Length | 40 cm |
| Width | 19 cm |
| Credit Line | Purchased from J. F. G. Umlauff, 1913 |
| Other Number | 2208 - Other Number |
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