Nose Ornament
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-nose ornaments
Culture
Asmat
Datemid 20th Century
Collection SitePapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia
Made AtPapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia
MediumPig bone or shell
Dimensions1/2 × 3 15/16 × 1/2 in. (1.3 × 10 × 1.3 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.35
DescriptionNose ornament collected from the Asmat people in the Papua Province (Irian Jaya) of Indonesia. The object dates back to the mid-20th century. This ornament was carved from pig bone or shell into the shape of a cylinder shape bone. The Asmat are well known for their many elaborate body ornamentation that are meticulously carved out of shell, bone, or wood. These pieces are commonly adorned by male members of the tribe and a way to symbolically represents a well and successful hunt. The piece is worn through a hole pierced through the nasal septum. This accessory appears often in other carved art forms by the Asmat as a shorthand reference to the men who wear it.On View
Not on view
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
