Frieze mask "malagan" ·  Papua New Guinea - Bismarck Archipelago - New Ireland · ID: 3053730

Description

wood, pigments, shell,

Symmetrical “malagan” friezes were attached to the walls of display houses specifically erected for the ceremonies. As elements of this temporary ritual architecture, they formed part of the final mortuary ceremonies, during which “malagan” carvings were publicly displayed and the social and spiritual transition following death was enacted.