GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea and several off-shore archipelagoes—among them the d'Entrecasteaux, Trobriand Islands, and Marshall Bennett Islands—collectively form the culture area called Massim. Massim art is best known for the ornamental low-relief carving that is applied to lime spatulas, shields, clubs, neckrests, and objects for display and ceremonial use, such as canoe prows and dance paddles. Scroll designs are characteristic, as are comma-shaped motifs that suggest the head of a bird with a long down-curving beak.
The kai-diba, or dance paddle (also called dance shield), consists of two semicircular elements connected by a short bar, by which the dancer would have grasped and twirled the paddle. The dances in which the paddles were used accompanied ceremonies for harvests, the launching of a new canoe, and preparations for warfare.
Excerpt from
DMA Label text.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- Encyclopedia Britannica~Read about the climate, people, culture, and history of Papua New Guinea.
- Encyclopedia Britannica~Learn more about the region of Oceania.
- National Museums Scotland~Explore resources about arts of the Oceania region of the Pacific.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 1975.4
Category
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AND
General Description
The southeastern tip of Papua New Guinea and several off-shore archipelagoes—among them the d'Entrecasteaux, Trobriand Islands, and Marshall Bennett Islands—collectively form the culture area called Massim. Massim art is best known for the ornamental low-relief carving that is applied to lime spatulas, shields, clubs, neckrests, and objects for display and ceremonial use, such as canoe prows and dance paddles. Scroll designs are characteristic, as are comma-shaped motifs that suggest the head of a bird with a long down-curving beak.
The kai-diba, or dance paddle (also called dance shield), consists of two semicircular elements connected by a short bar, by which the dancer would have grasped and twirled the paddle. The dances in which the paddles were used accompanied ceremonies for harvests, the launching of a new canoe, and preparations for warfare.
Excerpt from
DMA Label text.
Fun Facts
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- Encyclopedia Britannica~Read about the climate, people, culture, and history of Papua New Guinea.
- Encyclopedia Britannica~Learn more about the region of Oceania.
- National Museums Scotland~Explore resources about arts of the Oceania region of the Pacific.
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Geography
Process/materials
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
rules
Apply To
Objects
number
Equals
1975.4
source file
object_notes_4_b-0031.xml.nores