Periods, Cultures, Styles > Melanesian

Melanesian

Melanesians live in a region of Pacific Islands that includes New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, and Fiji.

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Oceania > Melanesia

Basics Works of Art Artists Periods, Cultures, Styles Curated Guides

Basics to get you started

Art Appreciation: Religion—comparisons and connections

Works of Art

Gazellah Bruder, Goddess I Am and Feeding the Gods of Melanesia

2019

2021

Nguzunguzu (canoe prow figurehead)

late 19th–early 20th century

Tin Mweleun, Slit Gong (Atingting kon)

1960s

Chief Roi Mata’s Domain

early 17th century

Gwaikwavi Wakaaniambi, Yam mask or Bapamini

c. 1980

Ivory breastplate (civavonovono), Fiji

c. 19th century

The Life of Malagan

late 19th–early 20th century

Malagan at the British Museum

1882–83

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Artists

Bayon, the most notable temple at Angkor Thom (photo: Dmitry A. Mottl, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Bayon, the most notable temple at Angkor Thom (photo: Dmitry A. Mottl, CC BY-SA 4.0)

Gwaikwavi Wakaaniambi

Gazellah Bruder

Periods, Cultures, Styles

Inlaid bird bowl, likely 18th century, wood, inlaid with shell, from Belau, Micronesia, 93 x 53 cm (with lid), collected by Captain Henry Wilson (© The Trustees of the British Museum)

Palauan

Mask (Buk), Torres Strait, Mabuiag Island, mid to late 19th century,turtle shell, wood, cassowary feathers, fiber, resin, shell, paint, 21 1/2 inches high (The Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York City)

Torres Strait Islander