1898.67
Malagan Mask
Artist
Artist Unidentified
Title
Malagan Mask
Creation Date
ca. 1870 - 1890
Century
mid-late 19th century
Dimensions
16 1/8 in. x 12 1/2 in. x 8 5/8 in. (41 cm. x 31.8 cm. x 21.9 cm.)
Object Type
mask
Creation Place
Oceania or Australasia, Papua New Guinea, New Ireland
Medium and Support
polychrome, wood, natural fiber
Credit Line
Gift of Harold M. Sewall
Copyright
Public Domain
Accession Number
1898.67
The Malagan ceremony takes place among the tribes of New Ireland, an island off the coast of Papua New Guinea. The ritual is meant to complete the cycle of mourning for those who have died, sending off their spirits that are represented through masks like these, as well as through painted panels and other sculptures. They were used during the elaborate ceremonies, which sometimes last days and include trade, feasting, music, song, and dance. Once the ritual is completed the masks lose their power and meaning, and are no longer needed. Traditionally they were burned, but with the increased presence of Europeans in the late nineteenth century, Melanesians realized they could sell the sculptures to the visiting westerners hungry for “exotic” ritual objects from cultures around the world.
Object Description
See attached pdf article (under surrogate list) "New Ireland Art of the South Pacific". A good reference for mask.
Additional Media
detail
overall