Warrior's Neck Ornament

Unknown

19th–early 20th century · Wood, paint, frigate bird feathers, fiber, parinarium-nut paste · Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

In addition to the weapons they carried, warriors in the Admiralty Islands formerly wore neck ornaments that served as powerful war charms believed to render the wearer invulnerable to enemies. Most portray stylized human heads (or rarely, full figures) with flaring bases made from trimmed frigate bird feathers. The ornaments were worn on the back of the neck, secured by a necklace of cordage tied so tightly that the head faced upward and the feathers projected horizontally. Used throughout the archipelago, they appear to have been produced only by certain groups, such as the Matankol people of northern Manus Island, and traded to neighboring peoples. Warfare on the islands ceased in the early 1900s, but contemporary Admiralty Islanders continue to wear the ornaments as dance regalia.

Artist

Unknown

Date

19th–early 20th century

Medium

Wood, paint, frigate bird feathers, fiber, parinarium-nut paste

Culture

Admiralty Islands

Department

Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas

Credit line

Gift of Gustave and Franyo Schindler, 1980