War Charm

86-11-21

From: Admiralty Islands

Curatorial Section: Oceanian

Object Number 86-11-21
Current Location Collections Storage
Provenience Admiralty Islands
Section Oceanian
Materials Wood | Feather | Gum | Cotton
Description

Carved wooden head, with pierced ears and headdress which curves down to back of hollow torso with two pegs (legs?) at bottom. Attached to torso by means of a plaited fiber band and black gum/resin, 26 long black frigate bird feathers, notched for most of their length. Attached to crown of head, a long strip of dirty knotted cloth. Wooden parts decorated with geometric carving, black pigment. Much damage to gum/resin. Worn around the neck, at the back, by a warrior going into battle.

Height 55 cm
Credit Line Gift of Walcott Merrow, 1986

Report problems and issues to digitalmedia@pennmuseum.org.