Nose ornament called Bipane
Asmat culture, Papua New Guinea
First half of the 20th century
Shell, cowrie shell and plant resin
Height: 10 cm; Length: 15.5 cm

This important body ornament is sculpted from two sections of shells cut into spirals and assembled using vegetable gum, enhanced with small applied cowrie shells.
The concave inner part is white and smooth, while the convex, outer part of the shell retains its brown tones and natural striations.

An ornament worn by both men and women, it was placed at the tip of the nose, on the nasal septum, during ceremonies. This particular piercing of the septum was performed during the initiation rites of young girls and boys.
Its distinctive shape is reminiscent of the moon, but also of pig tusks. An analogy is thus drawn. Indeed, the pig is a man-eater just as man is a headhunter.

Illustration image: Source unknown.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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