Skip to main content
Advanced Search
Long open ? plaited fiber cap. When worn extends down back and ends in small likeness of lizard or crocodile with mouth. Strands of fiber adorned with cowrie shells and painted with red and white pigment. Small twine loops with evidence of feathers at top.
Bridal Headpiece (ambusap)
Courtesy of the Harn Museum of Art, Photography by Randy Batista

Bridal Headpiece (ambusap)

Maker Iatmul
Date20th century
Place of originAsia
MediumTwine, cowrie shells, pigment, feathers
Dimensions34 x 9 1/2 x 1 1/4 in. (86.4 x 24.1 x 3.2 cm)
ClassificationsClothing and accessories
Credit LineGift of Dr. Samuel Spring
Object numberS85-SPNG-G152
Collections
Visual DescriptionLong open ? plaited fiber cap. When worn extends down back and ends in small likeness of lizard or crocodile with mouth. Strands of fiber adorned with cowrie shells and painted with red and white pigment. Small twine loops with evidence of feathers at top.
Woven basketry cone shaped from topped with traditional Sepik human head made of clay and painted designs. Large shell eyes, typical nose and protruding tongue. Hair beard. Face encircled in shells, embedded with clay. On basketry torso is the "dual" ancestor's face mocking the larger predominate face. Raffia fringe extends from bottom. Handle on side and back. Wood plug earring. Raffia fringe covers armholes inside. Striped design in red, black and yellow.
Dual ancestral costume
Iatmul
20th century
Finely woven rattan body costume with hanging fiber. Wings and head made from plaited string. Long neck. Design painted on predominately black body. Shell eye. Cassowary feathers extend down sides and ridge of back. Dangling twine from circular disc ears.
Cassowary Dance Costume
Iatmul
20th century
Body masquerade woven(?) horizontally of woven rattan. Pig face with snout from which feathers, twine and fabric dangle. Cowrie shell eyes. Headdress of face. Earrings ? object in nose dangle from ears. Tusks extending from one side of mouth. Rows of cassowary feathers extend length of body and fringe hangs at bottom. Highlighted with earth pigment.
Pig dance costume
Iatmul
20th century
Woven rattan helmet-type mask with attached clay covered rattan disk as face. Large pierced nose. Cowrie shell beard. Small slit mouth and eyes. Surrounded by cassowary feathers.
Initiation Mask
Iatmul
20th century
A dark wooden mask featuring deep round eyes, a prominent nose, and an open mouth showing teeth. Cowrie shells are attached to the upper edge, and a thick fringe of dark feathers and fibers surrounds the lower face.
Mask (gle)
Dan Artist
undated
A dark wooden mask featuring incised geometric patterns and large, deep circular eye sockets with raised center pegs. It is topped with a thick crown of dark feathers and fibers, with long, thin tendrils hanging down from the sides.
Mask, ishyeenmaal, isehndemale or pwoom itok
Kuba Artist
20th century
Traditional elongated facial mask with long nose pierced at septum with boar tusk extending to chin where bird protrudes down. Face surrounded by shells embedded in clay. Shells on nose extension. Human hair at top of head beneath plaited raffia loop for hanging. Small inset shells for eyes underneath carved protruding brows. Dark stain. Painted traditional designs.
Mai Mask
Iatmul
20th century
Ruff of feathers secured with twine.
Cassowary Headdress
New Guinean, Middle or Lower Sepik
last half 20th century
Multi-length brownish feathers secured to thin bamboo handle with twine. A reddish glue is apparent underneath feathers.
Feather whisk
New Guinean, Sepik River
last half 20th century
Carved wood figure with various attachments: medicine bundles with feathers and other substances, cowrie strands on neck and head, monkey skull attached to front with cords, shells and seed pods and gourd bound to figure with cord, back covered with burlap; dots of blue and white pigment on figure; figure holds a club in each hand; has conical headdress, strand of red and green beads on back, iron chain with small conical bell attached at end dangling at feet.
Smallpox God
Yoruba Artist
1969
Plaited fiber in hanging rectangles edged with cowrie shells. Front has 4 hanging panels with attached dangling disc. Repeat in back. Large shells are mounted on either side of plaited fiber. Connected by stick that supports fiber. Double loops.
Double shell necklace
New Guinea, Coastal region, Astrolabe Bay
20th century
A costume with a grass skirt, black and white striped shirt, and conical headdress.
Masquerade (deangle)
Mano Artist
c. 1940

Collections research is ongoing. Information provided on the Harn’s website about collection objects may be updated, revised, or enhanced at any time.

Harn
Copyright © Harn
null