Papua New Guinea antique. Bainings Fire Dance Ceremonial Mask
Bainings Fire Dance Ceremonial Mask. Fashioned on Cassowary spirit totem.
Traditional Tapa cloth Bainings Fire Dance Mask from Gazelle Peninsula New Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. Width: 270mm / 10 ½. Weight: 700gm / 1lb 9oz. Material: Tapa cloth over rattan strips. Vendor was with family about mid-December 1976 and was invited to attend a late night traditional fire dance ceremony performed by the villagers of the Bainings Mountains south of Kerevat township.
As the ceremony concluded I noticed (with utter amazement) the tribesmen were throwing their masks into the fire pit at the center of the dance ground so I quickly approached one of the men and begged him to sell one of the last remaining. Burning a Bainings Fire Mask is integral conclusion of the ceremony, hence these seldom appear on sale. He explained in Tok-Pisin how it was necessary to burn the masks at the conclusion and it took some convincing but he agreed to sell me the mask on the condition I keep it covered with my raincoat so that it could not be seen or touched by other local people. I have kept this mask until now. Bear in mind this artifact over 40 years old. For its age it is still in great shape. This item is for the serious collector of Melanesian Art. Likewise being Tapa cloth please research quarantine / agriculture regs thoroughly, particularly if purchaser resides NZL, USA or Canada. Note Tapa is beaten and bleach treated material and is free of bark or pathogen. Likewise the rattan making up the frame is shaped cleaned and dried and free of any bark, borers or coating. Inside there are some dried leaves which serve as a lining, please advise if you would like me to remove the dried leaves if necessary. If one shops around, it is possible to find a Bainings Mask but they are often more expensive with no real age or history.International buyers note I will find service with tracking despite what pre-fill states. Will post AU, NZL, UK, EU, US, CA and other worldwide but exceptions pls message me prior. The item "Papua New Guinea antique. Bainings Fire Dance Ceremonial Mask" is in sale since Monday, November 18, 2019. This item is in the category "Antiques\Ethnographic\Pacific Islands & Oceania".
The seller is "pupeski" and is located in Morningside, QLD. This item can be shipped worldwide.- Product Type: Masks
- Originating Region: Australia