DS22 Iatmul Overmodelled Ancestor Skull East Sepik Province.

Item No.                 . DS22

Description          . Overmodelled Ancestor Skull from the Iatmul people of East Sepik with Xassowary Feathers Hair, shellwork and overmodeled with a paste of red clay, lime and tigasso oil. Over modelling of skulls of was once a common practice for both the Iatmul and also the Sawos people. These decorated skulls were generally of  identifiable ancestors and great care was taken to produce a lifelike representation of the deceased’s face.The skulls served as a tangible connection between the living and their ancestors which was fundamentally rooted in the Iatmul’s belief in the cyclical nature of life and death.

Size                         . cm (   “)

Price                       . USD$3350