Head Ornament Wagnen

Wosera people, Middle sepik river, Papua New Guinea, 19th - early 20th century

This wagnen is a dramatic representation of a human face. It is made from woven cane and has a deep and crusty surface. The head ornament was worn behind and over the head by a young male initiate during a ceremony to enter the men's cult. There is a whimsical and powerful quality to this piece, mainly due to the very expressive large negative space representing an exaggerated open mouth.

Height: 7 inches
9 inches on custom stand
SOLD / IN23