Headdress or Body Ornament

Worn by warriors in the Goroka District of the Eastern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The base is a large piece of banana fibre to which rows of tiny puka shells have been stitched. Several rows of shells circle the edge and then the centre is filled with further rows of shells. Three tiny glass turquoise coloured glass beads and 4 knots of red wool have been added as further adornment. Both would have been valuable items received in trade.