headdress

Collection of Auckland Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira, 1986.218, 52041

Pacific cultures chose particular types of feathers to decorate the body and artefacts, partly for their appearance but sometimes because of the associations and symbolism attributed to certain birds and their behaviour. Many New Guinea peoples make explicit analogies between their own dances and the display of birds-of-paradise. They also believe that wearing eagle feathers will make the wearer successful in obtaining wealth in the same way that the eagle hunts its prey.

Papua Province

feather/animal material

plant fibre/natural fibre/fibre

630mm

350mm

Headdress

Ceremonial Artefacts

Communication Artefacts

This object was assessed as part of the Light Sensitivity Gallery Survey in G62 Pacific Masterpieces.

This object was assessed as part of the Light Sensitivity Gallery Survey in G62 Pacific Masterpieces.

01 Oct 2026