Items Similar to An ancient Papua wooden substitute headhunters's head
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 11
An ancient Papua wooden substitute headhunters's head
About the Item
Papua New Guinea, 18th-19th century
L. 22.5 x W. 18 cm (approx.)
Provenance:
Collected by Schulze-Westrum
Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s or 1990s)
For a comparable skull see the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The heads of humans and of animals such as crocodiles and pigs formerly played integral roles in the ceremonial life of Papuan Gulf peoples, who considered the heads to be vessels of life-giving supernatural power. Within men’s ceremonial houses, human skulls were displayed, together with sacred images such as spirit boards or gope, by the members of each clan in a specially constructed clan shrine. However, not all heads required the death of an enemy. In some areas, heads made from wood or other materials appear to have had powers equal to actual ones. In contrast to skulls, the facial features of wood heads were sometimes depicted as they appeared in life.
This example comes from the Wapo Creek area, where wood heads appear to have been used interchangeably with actual skulls. When headhunting was abolished by Australian colonial authorities in the early 1900s, Wapo Creek peoples were encouraged to substitute animal skulls. However, they refused, preferring instead to use wood heads like this one.
- Dimensions:Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Width: 7.09 in (18 cm)Depth: 8.86 in (22.5 cm)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:19th century or earlier
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Amsterdam, NL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU5458242044352
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1985
1stDibs seller since 2020
23 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 2 hours
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Return Policy
Authenticity Guarantee
In the unlikely event there’s an issue with an item’s authenticity, contact us within 1 year for a full refund. DetailsMoney-Back Guarantee
If your item is not as described, is damaged in transit, or does not arrive, contact us within 7 days for a full refund. Details24-Hour Cancellation
You have a 24-hour grace period in which to reconsider your purchase, with no questions asked.Vetted Professional Sellers
Our world-class sellers must adhere to strict standards for service and quality, maintaining the integrity of our listings.Price-Match Guarantee
If you find that a seller listed the same item for a lower price elsewhere, we’ll match it.Trusted Global Delivery
Our best-in-class carrier network provides specialized shipping options worldwide, including custom delivery.More From This Seller
View AllA beaded Naga 'Headhunter' trophy necklace
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Nagaland, North-east India, early 20th century
A necklace comprised of glass beads, two dog tooth and a brass face pendant. The four headed pendant symbolises decapitated head-troph...
Category
Antique 19th Century Indian Tribal Art
Materials
Brass
An Asmat head ornament made from Cuscus fur
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Asmat, Papua Province, Indonesia, Late 19th century
Made from a long piece of Cuscus fur decorated on the sides with shell beads and strings of natural fiber.
Provenance:
- Collec...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Art
Materials
Fur, Shell, Natural Fiber
Cassowary feather Bilum bag from Papua
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Papua New Guinea, early 20th century,
A Bilum bag from Papua New Guinea, crafted from bark fiber and adorned with cassowary feathers.
Provenance:
- Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Mu...
Category
Early 20th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Natural Fiber, Feathers
A bridal headdress from Papua called 'ambusap'
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Iatmul, Papua New Guinea, 20th century
This ceremonial headdress is traditionally worn by a young bride as she enters her new husband’s home for the first time. Adorned with shells—...
Category
Antique 19th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Shell, Natural Fiber
Early Papua Korwar Statue, Collection of Missionary Starrenburg, Collected 1909
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A Papua wood figure of a Korwar
North West Irian Jaya, Vogelkop area, coastal Geelvink Bay, present-day Cenderawasih Bay, early 20th century
The seated Korwar is holding an ope...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
A rare Papua 'Gope' Spirit board from the Schulze Westrum collection
Located in Amsterdam, NL
A rare Papua 'Gope' Spirit board from the Schulze Westrum collection
New Guinea, Papua Gulf, probably Minagoiravi, Wapo River, late 19th–early 20th century
H. 130 x W. 24.5 cm
Pro...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
You May Also Like
Tribal Wooden mask from Papua New Guinea
Located in Schellebelle, BE
A tribal Wooden mask from Papua New Guinea, Sepik region,
good patina and wear of the mask,
the mask is decorated with small shells and shell parts,
powerful object
Category
Vintage 1970s Asian Tribal Art
Materials
Hardwood
Tribal Wooden Statue From Papua New Guinea
Located in Schellebelle, BE
An beautiful Wooden Statue from Papua New Guinea from the Sepik Region,
a seating figure with the typical Sepik features,
good patina and shine of the wood, powerful object
Category
Vintage 1970s Asian Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Ancient African Wooden Stool
Located in Soho, London, GB
Ancient wooden stool with four feet dating to the 19th century. From Congo, Africa.
Provenance: Galerie Démons et Merveilles, Paris; Private Collection, United Kingdom.
Category
Antique 19th Century Congolese Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
Nias 'Kalabubu' Coconut & Brass Headhunter Necklace
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This 'Kalabubu' necklace, also known as the 'head-hunter' necklace made out of coconut and brass is the most important ornament for the men of Southern Nias Island, North Sumatra...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Brass
Nias 'Kalabubu' Coconut & Brass Headhunter Necklace
Located in Jimbaran, Bali
This 'Kalabubu' necklace, also known as the 'head-hunter' necklace made out of coconut and brass is the most important ornament for the men of Southern Nias Island, North Sumatra...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Brass
Wooden Head of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s
By Yoruba People
Located in Aramits, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Wooden head of an Ooni of Ile-Ife, Yoruba People, Nigeria, circa 1930s.
The Ooni is the traditional ruler of Ile-Ife. The Nigerian town is seen as the cradle of the Yoruba people.
The number is the inventory number from Lehigh University.
Exhibited: The Lehigh University - Art Galleries permanent collection.
Provenance: The collection of Dr and Mrs John E. Swanson.
Dr John Swanson and his wife Marian lived from 1966 - 1981 in Lagos, Nigeria where Dr Swanson was the Advisor to the National Universities Commission and later on the Chief Planning Officer of the University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
During their time in Africa the Swansons started to collect African art. In 1973 a part of their collection, circa 120 pieces went on loan to The Pennsylvania State University Museum of Art, where the remained until 1978.
In 1981 Dr Swanson passed away and his wife Marian never returned to Africa.
In 1982 Mrs Swanson lent 130 pieces to the Lehigh University Art Gallery where they remained until 1987. A few pieces were also lent to Lafayette College...
Category
Early 20th Century Nigerian Tribal Tribal Art
Materials
Wood
