Ornament | mol

The light weave of rattan strips and pearls is part of a widow's mourning apparel on the island of Manus. It is attached to the back of the head with the two braided strings. It then takes on the shape of a half-cylinder, which is worn with the pearl ornaments facing out. This extraordinary piece was collected by Wilhelm Lebahn, captain of the Imperial Navy survey ship »S.M.S. Planet«, on which the ethnologist, anthropologist and marine doctor Augustin Krämer was also travelling. The Lebahn collection was sold after his death by his brother-in-law Dr. Rudolf Plähn from Waldkirch.