 |
Unknown
(Papua New Guinea)
- Title
- Gable mask
- Place of origin
-
Middle Sepik River →
East Sepik Province →
Papua New Guinea
- Cultural origin
- Iatmul people
- Media categories
- Ceremonial object, Botanical material, Animal material
- Materials used
- woven rattan cane, red, white and black natural pigments, cassowary feathers, carved wood
- Dimensions
-
181.5 x 99.5 x 54.0cm:
0 - Whole; 181.5cm (71 7/16")
0 - Whole; 99.5cm (39 3/16")
0 - Whole; 54cm (21 1/4")
- Credit
- Purchased 1964
- Accession number
- IA13.1964
- Location
- Not on display
- Further information
The basketry mask is placed on the gable of the ceremonial house by the people living in the middle Sepik area. Sometimes it is woven as part of the structure. Bateson (Gregory Bateson, 'Social structure of the Iatmul people of the Sepik River', Oceania, 2: 259, 1932), says they are the female personification of the house. It is possible that this object was made for sale but it still appears to embody the best qualities of Sepik River art. It is made of cane, painted red, white and black, decorated with cassowary feathers around the eyes, and the nose ornament is of wood.
revised entry from AJ Tuckson, 'Some Sepik River art from the collection', AGNSW Quarterly, vol 13, no 3, 1972, pg. 671.
- Bibliography (7)
-
Tony Tuckson (Egypt; England; Australia, b.1921, d.1973) (Author), Aboriginal and Melanesian art, Domain, 1973, 45. cat.no. 83
'Primitive art collection' by Tony Tuckson, pg. 76-79., Art and Australia [vol. 10, no. 1] Jul 1972, Jul 1972, 79 (illus.). Image of work in the 'Primitive Gallery' at the AGNSW in 1972, with other works from the collection.
Art Gallery of New South Wales Quarterly (vol. 13, no. 4) Jul 1972, Jul 1972, 697 (illus.). "The primitive art area is temporarily situated on the first floor. Exhibits are from the Sepik River, New Guinea, along with a grave-symbol figure from New Hebrides, in the left foreground". The 'Gable mask' is seen on the wall, together with other works collected by Tuckson in the 1960s and early 1970s.
'Some Sepik River art from the collection' by JA Tuckson, pg. 666-679., Art Gallery of New South Wales Quarterly Apr 1972, Apr 1972, 668, 671, 676 (illus.). plate no. 10
Tony Tuckson (Egypt; England; Australia, b.1921, d.1973) (Author), Melanesian art, Sydney, 1966, front cover (illus.), 12. cat.no. 118
Art Gallery of New South Wales Quarterly Apr 1965, Apr 1965, 232 (illus.).
1964 Acquisitions 1964, 1964, 62. cat.no. 112
- Exhibition history (2)
-
Melanesian Art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 20 Apr 1966–22 May 1966.
Aboriginal and Melanesian art, Art Gallery of New South Wales, 19 Oct 1974 -.
