Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 4

A beautiful Kayapo headdress

About the Item

Brazil, Mato Grosso, early 20th century The Kayapo are linguistically and culturally counted among the Ge peoples, who once settled large parts of central and eastern Brazil but are traditionally semi-nomads. Now they no longer build their villages in remote clearings near small rivers, but on the large navigable rivers near government stations with schools, medical care, shops, and an airport. However, the men still occasionally venture on larger hunting trips. The Kayapo are passionate makers and users of feather headdresses. They keep thirty-five species of birds as pets, which they collect with blunt arrows without injuring them. Because the birds as a result of loss of habitat have become scarcer, the Kayapo now replace the valuable feathers in headdresses that are intended for sale (the Brazilian government has allowed them to do this since the early 1970s), with feathers that are more common and less important to them. Wearing feather headdresses is associated with privileges that were bestowed upon a man throughout his life. The composition, simple or detailed, as well as the form of the feather headdress, are determined exclusively by individually granted privileges. This way, leaders, elders, chiefs, and shamans are distinguished from other members of society.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 7.09 in (18 cm)Diameter: 8.27 in (21 cm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    late 19th/early 20th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Amsterdam, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5458242094142

More From This Seller

View All
A Kayapo Amazon Indigenous feather headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Brazil, Pará, circa 1950s-1960s H. 97 x W. 106 cm Provenance: Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s)
Category

20th Century Brazilian Tribal Art

Materials

String, Feathers

An Amazon Indigenous Kayapo feather headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Brazil, Pará or Mato Grosso, circa 1950’s-1960s H. 50.8 x W. 33.5 cm (incl. stand) Provenance: Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s)
Category

20th Century Brazilian Tribal Art

Materials

String, Feathers

An Amazon Indigenous Kayapo feather headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Brazil, Pará or Mato Grosso, circa 1950’s-1960s H. 55 x W. 38 cm (incl. stand) Provenance: Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s)
Category

20th Century Brazilian Tribal Art

Materials

String, Feathers

A large Kayapo Amazon Indigenous child’s feather headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Brazil, Xingu River, collected between 1954 and1977 Made from a cotton thread, woven and decorated with colorful Orange-winged Amazon (Amazona amazonica) and Red-and-green macaw (Ar...
Category

20th Century Brazilian Tribal Art

Materials

String, Feathers

An Illongot headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Ifugao, Northern Philippines, 19th century Decorated with different kinds of beadwork and the bill of a Kalaw bird (hornbill). Historically, only those who had proven themselves th...
Category

Antique 19th Century Philippine Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Natural Fiber, Wood, Beads

A Mbukushu braided headdress
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Mbukushu / Kavango Group, Botswana/Namibia/Angola, Early 20th century An exquisite and old example of a Mbukushu braided wig headdress, featuring a leather or hide base that has na...
Category

Early 20th Century Namibian Tribal Art

Materials

Leather, Shell, Natural Fiber

You May Also Like

Contemporary Kayapo-Style Headdress With Moulting Feathers
Located in Paris, FR
Headdress in the style of Indian Tribe Kayapo under frame, made of moulting feathers from Blue Macaw, Blue-fronted Amazon, Rosablin, Triton and Alba cacaotès, Alexander parakeet, Demoiselle and Crowned crane, Chinese red rooster and Blue peacock; all sourced within France. With Lapis lazulli...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Glass, Wood, Feathers

Contemporary Kayapo-Style Artwork Headdress With Moulting Feathers
Located in Paris, FR
Headdress in the style of Kayapo Amazonian Indian Tribal pieces, under frame made with moulting feathers sourced in France of blue Macaw feathers, and other South American bird feath...
Category

21st Century and Contemporary French Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Feathers

Natural Juju Feather Ceremonial Headdress
Located in New York, NY
Crafted by local artisans in Cameroon, Juju hats hold a significant place in traditional ceremonies, often worn by tribal leaders to signify their status. The...
Category

20th Century Cameroonian Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Feathers

Carved African Mali Antelope Headdress
Located in Houston, TX
Carved abstract mythological abstract antelope anteater headdress mounted on wood stand. These motifs symbolize excellence in farming and bountiful harvests...
Category

20th Century Malian Primitive Abstract Sculptures

Materials

Wood

African Yoruba Painted Gelede Headdress
Located in Chicago, IL
This painted mask was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a tradition known as Gelede. A blend of ritual and artistic spectacle, Gelede pays homage to the women of their Community, understood to possess spiritual powers capable of the benefit or the destruction of society. The Gelede masquerade is an opportunity to honor or condemn behaviors within the Community, through dance, art, satire, and poetry. Worn by veiled dancers, Gelede masks...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Tribal Wall-mounted Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Yoruba Four Headed Egungun Headdress
By Yoruba People
Located in Chicago, IL
This wooden headdress was created by the Yoruba People of western Nigeria, and was worn during a masquerade known as egungun. A widespread Yoruba ritual, egungun performances honor a...
Category

Mid-20th Century Nigerian Figurative Sculptures

Materials

Wood

Recently Viewed

View All