Forehead Ornament

P3282

From: Marquesas Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

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Native Name Uhikana
Object Number P3282
Current Location Collections Storage
Culture Marquesan
Provenience Marquesas Islands
Date Made Before 1888
Section Oceanian
Materials Pearl Shell | Turtle Shell | Plant Fiber
Technique Filigree
Description

Headband of woven coconut fiber to which is attached a large disk of pearl shell overlaid with a carved sheet of sea turtle shell. The openwork carving includes six human faces and, at the top, two curved elements resembling the points of the large ceremonial fishhooks used to suspend sacrificial victims in temple areas.This ornament was collected in the Marquesas Islands in 1888 by Robert Louis Stevenson.

Height 16 cm
Length 0 cm
Width 47.5 cm
Credit Line Purchased from Mrs. Isobel Strong through Anderson Auction Company, 1914
Other Number 518 - Dealer's Number

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