an Important Marquesas Islands pandanus leaf diadem

PA'E

Details

an Important Marquesas Islands pandanus leaf diadem
pa'e
Of triangular form resembling a mitre, the palm leaf strips secured to a wooden shaft at the front by twisted coconut fibre, and again at the back with tightly bound ties of finely-plaited fibre
21cm. high

Literature

Biebuyck, D., and Van den Abbeele, N., The Power of Headdresses, Brussels, 1984, p.234, Pl.188

Exhibited

Ta'aroa, L'Univers polynesien, Brussels, 1982, no.60

Lot Essay

Radiguet's Album of 1842, folio 12, illustrates a cloaked figure wearing a similar diadem and holding a fan and a spear (see Panof, M., Trsors des Iles Marquises, Paris, 1995, p.33). Panof (p.52) describes how such diadems are worn by priests and illustrates one on p.112, no.47. Biebuyck (op. cit., p.234) informs us that such diadems are the appanage of the assistants of the "inspirational priest" (tau'a), who wielded a power equal to that of the hereditary tribal chief

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