Painted Head-Hunting Trophy Skull (1900 to 2000 Papua New Guinea)

Skull

Provenance: Ex English Private collection
See: Finch & Co catalogue no. 11, item no. 56, for a Pacific Islands trophy skull from the same collection

Despite the establishment of a Dutch government post in the residential area of the Asmat in South West New Guinea in 1938, it was as late as the 1950’s before government control put an end to the practice of headhunting. To the Asmat headhunting was a sacred duty, to be treated with great respect, a necessary act to safeguard their continuation as a people, for both their well being fertility as a group.
They believed that the creator of everything that exists on heaven and earth, both human and animal, was the Great Primeval Headhunter who created life by killing. For the Asmat the universe consists of three domains, the living, the dead and the ancestors. It is not possible for the dead to enter the peaceful domain of the ancestors until their death has been avenged.
A natural cause for death was not thought to be possible. A person died because they had fallen victim to the magical, supernatural and evil intentions of an enemy, and their death had to be avenged for the deceased to be able to enter the realm of the ancestors and so be at peace. The Asmat believed that in every newborn baby an ancestor is reincarnated and so that the eternal cycle of life and death is renewed and continues.

A Painted Head-Hunting Trophy Skull
Asmat South West Papua New Guinea
Early 20th Century

Size: 14.5cm high, 18cm deep, 13cm wide – 5¾ ins high, 7 ins deep, 5 ins wide