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Directory: Vintage Arts: Regional Art: Oceanic: Artifacts: Pre 1950: Item # 1498521

Please refer to our stock # 1-1473 when inquiring.

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AfricAsia Primitive and Antiques
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120 Impasse de La Borie
81170 Livers Cazelles, FRANCE
(0033) 6 32 63 98 15

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Replacement head, called "kus", finely carved to represent a human head, with realistic features, mouth open, pierced nose with a small (recent) bamboo stick inserted in it, two "earrings" made of textile and raffia. The head is made of wood, with a fine age patina. Papua New Guinea, Asmat, mid 20th century. Height: 25.9 cm. The mask is nicely mounted on a custom stand. Very good condition. NOTE: Trophy heads or skulls were used in initiation rites. Wooden heads ("kus") first were carved to replace lost skulls. After head hunting was banned by the authorities, they completely replaced the original trophy skulls. As part of the initiation ceremony, the young "man-to-be" meditates several days in the presence of the head before being taking on a canoe, together with the head, towards the "land of the ancestors". On this trip he acts as if he was aging rapidly, until he falls down and symbolically dies. He is then immersed in the river along with the head and is reborn as a baby. As the canoe returns to the village, he "grows up" towards his true age, acquiring knowledge and wisdom. Upon reaching the village he has become an adult and a warrior.