Southeast Asia, northern Philippines, Luzon, Ifugao peoples, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. A fascinating woven rattan headdress capped with a monkey skull. Enveloped in a rich brown pigment, the intriguing adornment is comprised of a thick band that wraps horizontally around the head and 4 thinner strips of woven rattan that crisscross at the top of the head where they are fitted with the ominous skull of a simian. Monkey skull headdresses, like this example, were used during coming-of-age ceremonies. The Ifugao regard monkeys as privileged accomplices of the spirits that are invoked with laughter and jokes. When worn, the primate skull must face in the same direction as the wearer of the headdress. Size: 7.5" L x 7" W x 5.875" H (19 cm x 17.8 cm x 14.9 cm)

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Provenance: private Camarillo, California, USA collection, acquired prior to 1986

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#163518

Some minor areas of fraying to rattan fiber and loss of pigment. Loss of front teeth of skull. Otherwise, very nice. Wearable as shown.