Spectacular And Rare Temes-mbalmbal Malakula Headgear Vanuatu Oceania Premier Art

Made up of a bamboo structure wrapped in plant fiber braids and a mixture of fibrous flakes and clay.
Decorated with pig teeth and feathers.
Painted with natural pigments as well as a Reckitt blue imported throughout Oceania at the beginning of the twentieth century by Australia.

This headgear is worn at different stages of the ceremonial cycle to secret and complex "Malawan" initiation rites to achieve increasing social and high-level spirit status. It is enhanced with an ancestral supernatural character of great importance for “Malawan” society.

South of Malakula
small Nambas Malampa

Acquired from Father André in Port Vila

Vanuatu

Haut 85 cm (hors plumes)
Larg 89 cm
Circonférence of heargear 120 cm