Shark Headdress Item Number: 2736/8 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Realistic representation of shark head is painted white and black with carved black eyes and red gill lines. Worn with nose pointing upwards, the beard and the mout,h made up of the jaw and teeth of a shark, are therefore facing forward. The headdress has long strands of grass fibres hanging from the sides and a foam lining around the interior rim. The jaw is held in with nails and two strands of woven synthetic rope are knotted and pulled through holes in the wood.
History Of Use
Used in Bijogo initiation masquerades. Initiation imparts knowledge that enable boys and men to carve the ceremonial instruments required at death to enable them to be conjoined with the creator god, Nindut. With the exception of Bijogo initiation masquerades, sharks, sawfish, rays and other marine animals are rarely represented in African art.
Item History
- Made in Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
- Owned by Art Africa before April 20, 2009
- Received from Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source) on April 20, 2009
What
- Name
- Shark Headdress
- Identification Number
- 2736/8
- Type of Item
- headdress
- Material
- wood, grass, shark tooth, shark bone, shark skin, metal, synthetic fibre, paint, cotton fibre and polyurethane foam
- Overall
- height 59.0 cm, width 39.0 cm, depth 25.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Bijogo
- Previous Owner
- Art Africa
- Received from
- Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
When
- Ownership Date
- before April 20, 2009
- Acquisition Date
- on April 20, 2009
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 2736/0008