A New Guinea rattan and shell hat

SEPIK RIVER

Details

A New Guinea rattan and shell hat
Sepik river
Of tapered cylindrical form sewn each side with a bird motif in nassa camelus shells above an open panel of the same
22cm. high

Literature

Biebuyck, D., and Van den Abbeele, N., The Power of Headdresses, Brussels, 1984, p.224, Pl.179

Lot Essay

Biebuyck writes that such an ornament would have been worn by young men at the base of a long bunch of the man's hair; if the owner's hair proved not to be long enough, additional hair would have been attached to the top.

More from TRIBAL ART

View All