Mask

You are looking at one of the Smithsonian's most important ethnographic objects. It is one of two Fijian clown masks collected by Lt. Charles Wilkes, leader of the Historic United States Exploring Expedition, the first U.S. scientific expedition to circumnavigate the globe, during their visit to the island of Fiji. They are the only two 19th century Fijian masks known to exist in the world. These masks and other objects collected from the U.S. Exploring Expedition became some of the founding objects of the Smithsonian's national anthropology collections.

The "matavulo" helmet-mask is made of an inner basketry work of a rattan like creeper (walaki vine) to which is sewn a realistic face made of coconut bast with tufts of human hair for a beard and mustache. The top is covered with tightly curled black human hair. There are two burnt out eye holes and a tubular nose. It was used during club dances. Publication: "domodomo," Fijian Museum quarterly, June 1983:1. also see "magnificent voyagers," Viola and Margolis, 1985, p. 123, where collection of this object and e2914 is described, and "narrative of the United States Exploring Expedition," vol. iii, p. 384, Charles Wilkes, 1845, which appears to be an illustration of e2914. examined by Kenneth P. Emory, Bishop Museum, June 1941. Exhibited in Magnificent Voyagers, National Museum of Natural History, 1985-86.