Decorated Skull

Item number C624 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Data
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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."