MISSIONARY ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Sacred Polynesian Reliquary

STATE OF PRESERVATION: Dehydration of wood and leaves. Some fibers and leaves are broken or missing. Infestation of insects. RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDES: • Pesticide treatment • Removal of the dust • Consolidation of the wood and leaves • Re-hydration • Overall consolidation • Study of the inside and documentation • Photographic documentation and summary Total cost € 7.000,00 contact our office for further information This extremely rare piece comes from the island of Tematangi, Tuamotu islands Polynesia, and is one of the most important pieces in the Ethnological Museum Collection. It was acquired by the missionaries Fathers Fierens e Terlyn who were preaching on the island between 1881 and 1885. For its importance, this piece has also been studied by Dr. Kaeppler from the Smithsonian Institute in Washington. The case of this reliquary is made of wood wrapped with coconut leaves. The restoration will enable the researchers to study the inside of this piece. In fact, the information available about the content of this reliquary are those of the missionaries who wrote that the inside part is divided into three sections with teeth of pig, bones of the ancestors and beards of old men from the village.

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