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Louis Ledoux: Papua New Guinea Collection
Lot 217:
Cassowary feathers affixed by rope to create semi-circle headdress.
In Louis Pierre Ledoux’s Diary page 298 (lot 108, Box F1), he mentions use of such a half-wig or headdress as part of war regalia and used in the funerary rites of a man, Moiega, who had just passed away, "…part of the war regalia which was used along with a cassowary feather/half wig (collected) to scare others."
In a stock photo of Margaret Mead in 1934 we can see her with a number of ‘trophy skulls’, some of which seem to be adorned with a similar headress or half-wig. https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/dr-margaret-mead-assistant-curator-of-ethnology-at -the-news-photo/514690236
Locale: Kaup, Murik Lakes, Lower Sepik River
Country: Papua New Guinea
Date: 1936 or earlier
Material: cassowary feather, rope
Dimensions: L14" x W5"
Provenance: Louis Pierre Ledoux Collection
Similar item:
Ethnologisches Museum der Staatlichen Museen zu Berlin, Nr. VI 10247 b
http://www.smb-digital.de/eMuseumPlus?service=ExternalInterface&module=c ollection&objectId=2029896&viewType=detail View
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