MISSIONARY ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Ten Funerary Poles

STATE OF PRESERVATION: There is damage to both the wooden and pictorial surfaces. Despite the fact that some pieces of the representation are lost, the colors are beautiful and visible. None the less, in several areas the painted layer has separated from the wooden surface and needs urgent restoration. RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDES: • Pesticide treatment • Removal of the dust • Consolidation of the wood • Re-hydration of the leaves and bark • Integration of the missing parts and pigments • Overall consolidation • Photographic documentation and summary Total cost € 42.000,00 contact our office for further information These wonderfully colored poles are original from the Melville Islands (northern Territory, Australia). Despite their colorful aspect and their decorations, these poles were used for exceptional funerary ceremonies named “pukumani”. At the end of these special ceremonies, the celebrants set the colored funerary poles all around the burial site. Each single pole is carved out of a different tree.

Index for this Department: Introduction Japanese Armor of Kon Kebiki Odoshi Gomai Dangaie-Do-Tosei-Gusoku Chinese Armor of a General of the Manciù Dinasty Peacocks Under a Cherry Tree Two Tapa Masks from Melanesia Ten Colored Xylographies Four Ceremonial Shields for Tambaran House Two Ritual Masks Tubuai and Duk-Duk Bundu Costume Two Vanatu Masks Tambaran Ten Funerary Poles Sacred Polynesian Reliquary Eskimo Kayak Two African Lirae Japanese Sword Wakizashi signed “Yasutsugu”

contact our office for further information

Wishbook Homepage