Overmodeled ancestor skull ·  Papua New Guinea - Sepik · ID: 3033625

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.

Comparing literature

Aumann, Georg, Kunst und Kunsthandwerk aus Neu Guinea, Coburg 1986, p. 12