Mask of spiritual being "tago" ·  Papua New Guinea, Huon Gulf - Tami Islands · ID: 3034455

Description

helmet-shaped rattan framework, coated with coconut fiber dyed with white pigment, eyes and mouth painted in red and black, the separate worked nose made of wood and fixed by cord, bonnet of red dyed plant fibre material, bind together on top and decorated with cassowary feathers, good condition;
the “tago” is a spiritual being and was displayed to initiates during their period of trial and apprenticeship. The “tago” also seems to have had a judiciary function. In the “tago” cycle, masked dancers took part in a year-long series of ceremonies and events which were repeated only every ten or twelve years.

The object Mask of spiritual being “tago” with the object ID 3034455 was last part of the auction 72nd tribal art auction at March 9, 2013 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 33.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

Meyer, Anthony J.P., Ozeanische Kunst, Vol. I, Köln 1995, p. 158 f.