Decorated Skull Item Number: C624 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Clay is molded over the skull to form facial features with cowrie shells used for the eyes. Decorated with dark brown-black curled human hair. Mostly red with some black paint used to accentuate and to decorate the facial features with circular lines, curvi-linear lines, and large dots. Twisted corded fibre is attached through and around the ears.
Narrative
According to Frank Burnett, this decorated skull was originally obtained by a sea captain from a tribe at the head waters of the Kaiserine Augusta River in New Guinea. "The Chief from whom he received it informed him that it was that of a noted rival whom he had killed, the head being preserved in this manner as a memento of his prowess."
Item History
- Made in Papua New Guinea before 1927
- Collected between 1895 and 1927
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1927
- Received from Frank Burnett (Donor) on July 25, 1927
What
- Name
- Decorated Skull
- Identification Number
- C624
- Type of Item
- skull
- Material
- human bone, cowrie shell, human hair and clay
- Manufacturing Technique
- moulded
- Overall
- height 18.7 cm, width 20.5 cm, depth 25.5 cm
Who
- Culture
- New Guinea
- Previous Owner
- Frank Burnett
- Received from
- Frank Burnett (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Papua New Guinea
When
- Creation Date
- before 1927
- Collection Date
- between 1895 and 1927
- Ownership Date
- before 1927
- Acquisition Date
- on July 25, 1927
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 2191/0973