Lot Essay
Helfrich (1973 nos. 127-132) published a series of these masks in the Museum fur Volkerkünde, Berlin. All were collected on the Northwest coast of New Ireland.
Details
A NEW IRELAND MALAGAN HEADDRESS, malam
With a stylized human face in center, grimacing mouth, circular eyes inlaid with opercula inlays with two openwork wing extensions at each side showing feathers in alternating bands of red and white with crested fiber coiffure, fiber beard later addition
26¼in. (66.7cm.) wide
With a stylized human face in center, grimacing mouth, circular eyes inlaid with opercula inlays with two openwork wing extensions at each side showing feathers in alternating bands of red and white with crested fiber coiffure, fiber beard later addition
26¼in. (66.7cm.) wide
Provenance
Museum for Volkerkünde, Vienna (101.262) given by Dr. Meyer c. 1910