Helmet Mask (temes mbalmbal)
- Culture
- southwestern Malakulan artist
- Date
- mid-20th century
- from
- Malampa province, Vanuatu, Oceania
- Classification
- Costume & clothing, masks
- Collection
- Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas
- Current Location
- Not on view
- Dimensions
- approximate: 31 7/8 x 16 15/16 x 11 in. (81 x 43 x 28 cm)
- Credit Line
- Gift of Morton D. May
- Rights
- Public Domain
- Object Number
- 72:1977
NOTES
An artist created this mask using distinct materials. Its face and the figure atop it are built upon an armature made of tree fern branches. The artist then covered this structure with stalks of leaves, followed by a paste-like layer. This compound was made by kneading together various plant matter, including the viscous juice from a vine that emulsified the mixture. Once dry, the plaster-like surface was painted with vibrant colors.
This helmet mask was worn when a man achieved a new rank in the grade society. Men achieve prestige in grade societies through access to sacred knowledge and networks for the exchange of precious objects.
Provenance
- 1969
Everett Rassiga Inc., New York, NY, USA
1969 - 1972
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Everett Rassiga Inc. [1]
1972 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated October 29, 1969 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May documents this purchase, listed as "3129 New Hebrides Dance Helmet w/ figure on top / Fern fibre, tusks, feathers, paint: 31" high" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] A letter dated March 1, 1977 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 14, 1977.
Everett Rassiga Inc., New York, NY, USA
1969 - 1972
Morton D. May (1914-1983), St. Louis, MO, purchased from Everett Rassiga Inc. [1]
1972 -
Saint Louis Art Museum, given by Morton D. May [2]
Notes:
[1] An invoice dated October 29, 1969 from Everett Rassiga Inc. to Morton D. May documents this purchase, listed as "3129 New Hebrides Dance Helmet w/ figure on top / Fern fibre, tusks, feathers, paint: 31" high" [May Archives, Saint Louis Art Museum].
[2] A letter dated March 1, 1977 from Morton D. May to James N. Wood, director of the Saint Louis Art Museum, includes the offer of this object as part of a larger donation [SLAM document files]. Minutes of the Acquisitions Committee of the Board of Trustees, Saint Louis Art Museum, April 14, 1977.
We regularly update records, which may be incomplete. If you have additional information, please contact us at provenance@slam.org.