This tall headpiece has a basketry base covered with red European cotton trade- cloth, onto which coloured beads have been sewn creating a bold diamond lattice. With its imposing size and crowned with cowrie shells, it is clearly a headpiece for a chief or local king. Prestige headpieces such as this one were worn on ceremonial occasions or for the gatherings of male associations. Designs, dimensions and forms of head coverings were controlled by the king and were indicative of status and position.
