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Back Ornament, 20th Century
Huli culture; Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, Melan…
Back Ornament
Back Ornament, 20th Century
Huli culture; Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, Melan…
Back Ornament, 20th Century Huli culture; Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea, Melanesia Hornbill beak, boar's tusk, fiber and pigment; 11 × 5 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. 98.18.17 Gift of the Jordan Community Trust

Back Ornament

ClassificationsClothing and Adornments
Culture Huli
Date20th Century
Made AtSouthern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumHornbill beak, boar's tusk, fiber and pigment
Dimensions11 × 5 1/2 × 1 3/4 in. (27.9 × 14 × 4.4 cm)
Credit LineGift of the Jordan Community Trust
Object number98.18.17
DescriptionThe hornbill bird is a very important species to people of the Highlands in New Guinea. It is hunted for its feathers as well as its stunningly beautiful beak. Worn on the back of male warriors, this necklace made with a combination of the beak, boar's tusks, and fiber is particularly breath-taking when seen on the men as they come together as a group of often a hundred at a time to perform a ceremonial dance.
On View
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