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West African skin-covered fetish female head. Used in secret societies devoted to the worship of ancestors and the spirit of fertility. Has social and political functions, which vary from tribe to tribe. Worn on top of the head, with fibre veil attached. Used in dances in lieu of fresh skulls. The skin used is generally of goat or antelope.

Skin-covered fetish female head

before 1920

Phrenological skull with articulated jaw and upper vertebrae, inscribed in French, 19th century

Phrenological skull with articulated jaw and upper vertebrae

1801-1900

Human trophy skull, lower jaw lashed to upper, with incised herringbone design on forehead, and attached by sennit cord to wooden double-pronged hook carved in form of unfinished, Janus headed figure, from New Guinea, 1871-1920

Human trophy skull

1871-1920

Articulated skeleton with phrenological skull inscribed in French, attached, European, 19th century (see stroke records)

Skeleton with phrenological skull

1801-1900

Partial upper denture, c.1860, early use of vulcanite

Partial upper denture

1851-1870

Articulated skeleton, European, 19th century. (lacks skull - A25407/1)

Articulated skeleton

1801-1900