shield, dance

Display location

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Credit Line

Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1928.31, 1537

Public Access Text

Pacific peoples dance to honour their gods, to establish and strengthen their human relationships, and to express their sheer enjoyment of life. In Melanesia, masked dancers move according to the character and personality of the spirit-being brought to life in the mask. Drums, slit gongs, rattles and other percussion instruments are the most frequent accompaniment to dance.

Cultural Origin

Trobriand Islander

Collection

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Primary Maker

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Place

Trobriand Islands/Papua New Guinea

Date

Unknown

Associated Notes

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Associated Event

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Associated Person

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Associated Place

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Associated Date

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Technique

carved

Period

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Signature/marks

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Media/Materials

wood/plant material

pigment/colorant

Measurement Description

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Measurement Reading

685mm (This object was measured as part of a Light Sensitivity gallery survey, undertaken by Sabine Weik in G62 Pacific Masterpieces gallery (MPH 05/11/2015).)

230mm (This object was measured as part of a Light Sensitivity gallery survey, undertaken by Sabine Weik in G62 Pacific Masterpieces gallery (MPH 05/11/2015).)

30mm (This object was measured as part of a Light Sensitivity gallery survey, undertaken by Sabine Weik in G62 Pacific Masterpieces gallery (MPH 05/11/2015).)

Physical Description

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Subject Category

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Classification

Accessory, Dance

Dance Artefacts

Ceremonial Artefacts

Communication Artefacts

Media/Materials Notes

This object was assessed as part of the Light Sensitivity Gallery Survey in G62 Pacific Masterpieces.

Style