A New Guinea headdress

MENDI, HIGHLANDS

Details

A New Guinea headdress
Mendi, Highlands
Of circular form, with flat top and tapered sides, composed of dense human hair on fibre net base
26cm. diam.

Literature

Biebuyck, D., and Van den Abbeele, N., The Power of Headdresses, Brussels, 1984, P.216, Pl.171

Lot Essay

Biebuyck (p.216) recounts how the hair for such a headdress was collected from the relatives of the wearer but the wigs were constructed by experts. They are intended to enhance the charm and sexual attraction of the wearer, suggestive of wealth and prestige. The use of wigs of human hair is widespread in New Guinea

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