DT03 Iatmul Overmodeled Ancestor Skull Sepik

Item #                 .DT03

Description      .Overmodelled Skull from the Iatmul people (Middle Sepik). This Ancestor Skull has shell eyes, cowrie shell decoration and Cassowary feather hair with some damage to the left cheek which has a mud repair. The overmodelling was normally done in the Mens House by a man who had special modelling skills. Cranial openings were blocked with soft wood and the nose formed by rattan strips then a paste consisting of red clay, lime and Tigasso Oil (from the Campnosperma Tree) were mixed into a paste and applied to the front of the skull and the top, the back being left bare. The face & features were reproduced as true to life as possible. After two days drying in the mens house on a rack (the deceased was thought to come & check it) the head was painted in natural ochres. After completion of the overmodelled skull the Mortuary ceremonies could begin.

Size                       .21cm W * 16cm H (8.25″ * 6.25″)

Price                    USD$2750