Bride Price

oiken, Papua New Guinea
Ca. 1920's
Previous Collection: Private German Collection

This is a beautiful and surreal example of a Talipun which means Bride price in the native language of the Boiken people of the Yangoru village. These woven masks are attached to giant snail shells purchased from coastal tribes and given as a symbolic dowry. This example is by far one of the most inventive I have seen the eyes project and morph into birdheads. The weave is tight; the pigments are intact and the condition is excellent.

This Talipun stands 12 inches tall
IN 10-9-12/ SOLD