Overmodeled ancestor skull
Papua New Guinea - Sepik
sold
EUR 4,500
Provenance
Manfred Steffmann, Günne, Germany (collected 1950 - 1958)Size
L: 21 cm
L: 8.3 inch
Description
human skull, the facial features remodeled with clay in a naturalistic manner, nose and ears formed free, characteristic spiral face painting, the eyes inset with cowrie shells, the forehead zone above the arching brows decorated with nassa snails, traces of real hair, the clay coating missing at the back of the head, the natural skull visible, showing traces of old age and weathering, slightly dam., crack;
in overmodelling the ancestors skull, the spirit and vitality should return and support the living descendants with it´s power. They were kept on special shelves in the men´s house, where women and children were not allowed to see them. Just on special occasions, like remembrance ceremonies, they were adorned and displayed in public.