MISSIONARY ETHNOLOGICAL MUSEUM

Two Vanatu Masks

STATE OF PRESERVATION: Unfortunately several feathers are broken and there is dehydration of the vegetable fibers. There is damage on the pictorial surfaces. The colors are beautiful and visible. None the less, in several areas the painted layer has separated from the bark and needs urgent restoration. RESTORATION PROCESS INCLUDES: • Pesticide treatment • Removal of the dust • Consolidation of the bark • Re-hydration of the leaves and bark • Integration of the missing parts and pigments • Overall consolidation • Photographic documentation and summar Total cost € 18.000,00 contact our office for further information These wonderfully colored masks are original from Melanesia. They were used only during very special ceremonies and they were completely destroyed afterwards. The Ethnological Museum of the Vatican has in storage two of these very rare examples of beauty of the Vanatu Republic. Their shape resembles a cone and they have a pendentive of feathers on the top. Their colors are red, white, blue and black.

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