Funerary Mask
| Native Name | Tatanua |
|---|---|
| Object Number: | P4555 |
| Current Location: | Collections Storage |
| Provenience: | Bismarck Archipelago Papua New Guinea New Ireland |
| Date Made: | 1910-1913 |
| Early Date: | 1910 |
| Late Date: | 1913 |
| Section: | Oceanian |
| Materials: | Wood Plant Fiber Rattan Cotton Feather Lime Sea Snail Operculum Pigment |
| Technique: | Carved |
| Height: | 42 cm |
| Length: | 40 cm |
| Width: | 19 cm |
| Credit Line: | Purchased from J. F. G. Umlauff, 1913 |
| Other Number: | 2208 - Other Number |
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.
Bibliography:
| [Book] Quick, Jennifer. 2004. Magnificent Objects from the University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.. Philadelphia. University of Pennsylvania Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology. ed. 1st. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 166 | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
| [Article] Hall, Henry U. 1935. "Malagan of New Ireland". The University Museum Bulletin. Philadelphia. The University Museum. Vol. 5. no. 4. Actual Citation : Page/Fig./Plate: p. 7, 9 | View Objects related to this Actual Citation |
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