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Tatanua Mask

Civilization New Ireland
End of 19th century, beginning 20th century
Height: 42 cm
Wood, vegetable fibre, pigment and shell (turbo petholatus opercula)

The tatanua mask is worn by men in ceremonies to honour the dead.

This extraordinary tatanua mask distinguishes itself by its great age and usage. Wheras most of the masks where worn only once and then left in the forest, this object was obviously highly estimated by its owners who guarded and repainted it for a long time to reuse it again and again.

Provenance

Marie –Ange Ciolkowska, Paris (1898-1992)

Publication(s)

Exhibition(s)

Tatanua Mask