Flute stopper
Middle Sepik River area, Papua New Guinea
Wood, nassa shells
Early to mid-20th century
8.5 by 3 inches (21.5 by 7.6 cm)
Field collected by Nicolai Michoutoukine (1929–2010) in 1967; ex. private collection, Madison, WI.

This was the finial on the top of a large sacred bamboo flute, which were played during important ceremonies like initiations and were never seen by women or uninitiated boys.
#6014   

$1000