Nose Ornament (Otsj)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-nose ornaments
Culture
Asmat
Datemid 20th Century
Made AtPapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia
Collection SitePapua (Irian Jaya) Province, Indonesia
MediumWood
Dimensions1 1/2 × 6 × 3/4 in. (3.8 × 15.2 × 1.9 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.44
DescriptionNose ornament collected from the Asmat people in the Papua Province of Indonesia. The Asmat are well known for their elaborate body ornamentation and the otsj is the most prestigious adornment among males in the tribe. These pieces are often carved from wood, animal bone, and in special circumstance human bone. Otsj are carved into the shape of a praying mantis as it is considered an important head-hunting symbol among the Asmat. 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
