Sepik Skull Rack from Papua New Guinea

A Sepik skull rack, Papua New Guinea. Tradtionally used to display the skulls of slain enemies, but after the 1920s skulls of ancestors, over-modeled with clay, were hung with offerings such as betel nuts and shell money. These ritual maintained the connection with the spirits of one's ancestors and thus with the powers of the other world. The head is carved from wood and painted over with tattoo-like patterns, and has two shells for eyes. The body and arms are woven with rattan and adorned with knotted plant fibres. Wooden spikes protrude from either side of the spine. Mounted to a metal stand. Height 193 cm, width 71 cm, depth 75 cm