Hornbill Dance Totem, Asmat

Chris Boylan Oceanic Art

Hornbill Dance Totem, central Asmat region, West Papua, Indonesia.

65 x 13 x 4 cm

This elegant, curved hornbill head emerges from a circular base engraved with concentric motifs. Suspended below are tassels composed of cassowary feather stems, various seeds, and a pointed bone.

The Asmat have many different ceremonies in their repertoire and an enormous number of small, specialised objects that form part of these ceremonies. The exact nature of this bird’s use is unclear, but it is an intriguing object with wonderful aesthetics.

$2,400.00

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