Ceremonial headdress with a human skull, Nepal, 1701-1900

Secular ceremonial headdress, incorporating human skull, Nepalese, 18th or 19th century

Human bones, such as the ones featured in this headdress, are used in rituals in some religious traditions to help people understand that death is not something to be feared. This is a Buddhist headdress, which was probably used in a religious ceremony.

Details

Category:
Asian Medicine
Collection:
Sir Henry Wellcome's Museum Collection
Object Number:
A22073
Materials:
cap, bone, human skull, band, cloth and band, coral
type:
human remains and headdress
credit:
Wellcome Trust