Amongst the Iatmul (and also the Sawos) on the central Sepik River, the skulls of important, deceased men where covered with reddish clay, a face was newly modelled out of this clay, and decorated with the patterns that the deceased had also worn as face-painting for ceremonies and feasts when he was alive. These re-modelled ancestor skulls were kept in houses for men and ritually venerated in their own ceremonies. The present, re-modelled ‘Sepik skull’ is old. This is evident in the patina of the shiny bone which is exposed on the back of the head, behind and below (with lower jaw and teeth). Also the rattan stripes by which the lower jaw is tied to the skull are old. The eyes of the ‘ancestor’ consist of two transverse cowrie shells impressed into the red clay. Also the decorative wreath of cowrie and Nassa shells above the forehead, and the ten plaits of real Papuan curly hair, were impressed into the modelled clay. The style of the facial configuration, as well as the black and white-grey paint, can be described as ‘late’. Good condition, no damage. H: 17 cm; W: 17 cm; L: 24 cm. Between the 19th and the early 20th centuries. (ME)

Provenance: German Private Collection.

Lit.: ‘Ozeanische Kunst’ by Anthony J. P. Meyer, ill. p. 230, 276; ‘Art and Artefacts of the Pacific, Africa and the Americas. The James Hooper Collection’ by Steven Phelps, fig. 991, 992; 'New Guinea Art' by Marcia & John Friede, fig. 163, 164; 'Art Papou' by Alain Nicolas, catalogue, Musée d'Arts Africains, Océaniens, Amérindiens, Marseilles, fig. 276.