A helmet or head crest mask from southern Malekula, called ‘Temes Mbalmbal’, which belonged to the rituals of the male secret society known as ‘Nalawan’. The ‘Nalawan secret society’ featured eleven ranks. It was possible to climb up the ranks by means of deeds or payments to the society in the form of valuable objects (pigs, plaited mats, boar’s tusks, etc.). Each of these was linked to initiation rituals and mask dances (feasts celebrating advancement in rank).
The present ‘Temes Mbalmbal mask’ was worn by high level members of the ‘Nalawan society’ on their head during such dances. The dancer was able to see from under the lower mask edge through a ‘curtain’ of green leaves.
Both the large helmet head of the mask and the male figure sitting behind it probably represent ancestral spirits or supernatural beings who were of great importance to the ‘Nalawan society’.
The mask consists of a structure of bamboo stripes, wrapped with braid-like hanks made of plant fibres, and additionally enveloped on the outside with a mixture of fibrous chaff and clay, smoothed into flat surfaces. This soft overlay was subsequently used to mould both the large face of the ‘helmet’ and the small one of the seated man. With eyebrows, protruding round eyes, nose and mouth. Two large, curved boar’s tusks are attached on either side of the open mouth as a symbol of strength and prosperity.
The mask was then painted with black soot, red ochre and white chalk (earth colours), as well as blue by means of ‘Reckitt’s Blue’, an imported pigment that was widespread throughout Oceania in the first half of the 20th century.
A very interesting specimen of Oceanic art, with understandable, material- and age-related damage (surface cracks, 3 ‘fingers’ made of wooden sticks are missing). Height: 75 cm, Width: 46 cm. First half of the 20th century. (ME)

Provenance:
Pursuant to information supplied by the consigner, the present item was acquired by a missionary on Malekula Island, Vanuatu, in 1950. Then: c. 1955 Michael Kuntz Private Collection, Dallas, USA. Then: Dr. Klaus Spiess Private Collection, Vienna. Then: Austrian Private Collection.

Lit.:
‘Vanuatu. Kunst aus der Südsee’ by Christian Kaufmann, Museum der Kulturen Basel, ill. 66, 115.