human remains
- Museum number
- Oc1919,0718.20
- Description
-
Human skull with features modelled in clay. The face is painted with designs in red and white pigment. The eye sockets are inlaid with cowrie shells. The septum of the nose is threaded with a short loop of plaited fibre. Longish dark brown human hair is affixed to the clay.
- Production date
- 1850-1919 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 16 centimetres
-
Length: 20 centimetres
-
Width: 18.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
-
Composite object. Modified human remains. No record of research. No claim received.
-
Contemporary restrictions apply to the viewing of images of this object or photograph. If you wish to access this image, please contact the department of Africa, Oceania and the Americas (aoa@britishmuseum.org).
- Location
- Not on display
- Condition
- Some cracks in the clay.
- Acquisition date
- 1919
- Acquisition notes
- The Streeten collection includes over two hundred objects, almost all of which are from mainland Papua New Guinea. Letters from Frank Streeten to the Museum in 1919 seem to suggest he collected them himself. He negotiated the purchase of his collection by the Museum, and requested that the cheque for £40 be sent to his father, a Reverend R.H. Streeten.
Letters in the Department of Prehistory R.H. Streeten was the father of the Mr Streeten who collected this item in PNG. It was sold quite soon after being collected (JHasell, 2005, based on letters in M&L archive). Europe Archives: Streeten to Joyce, 8th May 1919 (includes a listing of 60+ objects), Streeten 29th June 1919, Streeten 2nd July 1919.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc1919,0718.20
