Dual ancestral costume
Maker
Iatmul people
, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea
Date20th century
Made/manufacturedPapua New Guinea, Oceania
MediumWood, rattan, raffia, cassowary feathers, seeds, nassa and cowrie shells, human hair, paint
Dimensions58 x 20 x 28 in. (147.3 x 50.8 x 71.1 cm)
ClassificationsCostume
Credit LineGift of Dr. Samuel Spring
Object numberS85-SPNG-G234
DescriptionWoven 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.
