Tolai

Describes the various types of artwork created by a group of inhabitants of the New Britain Islands. The Tolai have a painted carving tradition, manifested both in many kinds of carvings, such as their well known bearded masks and headdresses. These masks and headdresses contain the front of human skulls, which are remodelled with a paste of parinarium nut, and decorated red, white, and black and have a crossbar meant to be held between the teeth of the wearer.