Dance Mask Item Number: 3277/1 a-e from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Large dance mask (part a). The wooden mask is oval-shaped, and painted black. Rectangular holes are cut for both the eyes and mouth. Surrounding the mask is a large amount of plant material simulating hair, which is attached to both the mask and wooden frame. The mask is adorned with a headdress consisting of a red woven band, three rows of small circular shells, a single row of cone shells, the remnants of a row of red feathers, and topped with rows of black feathers. A wide strap of plant fibre extends back around the head, and is decorated by four shells on each end. A rattan frame extends down to each side of the mask, with woven fibre and strings of shells attached. Three similar dance wands (parts b-d) of red feathers and bird skin, one of which is still mounted on a wooden handle (part b). An ornament (part e), composed of three pieces that are tied together - a bundle of black feathers, a wrapped stick with a piece of bone, feathers and metal, and another pointed stick piercing a ball-like decoration.
Narrative
Collected by Jack Lieber in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 - June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.
Item History
- Made in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
- Collected in Goroka, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea between 1970 and 1972
- Owned by Jack Lieber before 2015
- Owned by Iris Lieber before December 8, 2017
- Received from Iris Lieber (Donor) on December 8, 2017
What
Who
- Culture
- New Guinea
- Previous Owner
- Jack Lieber and Iris Lieber
- Received from
- Iris Lieber (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Goroka, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
- Collected in
- Goroka, Eastern Highlands, Papua New Guinea
When
- Collection Date
- between 1970 and 1972
- Ownership Date
- before 2015 and before December 8, 2017
- Acquisition Date
- on December 8, 2017
Other
- Condition
- poor
- Accession Number
- 3277/0001 a-e