Tribal Headrest - Papua New Guinea?

Hello All,

I was just wondering if anyone knew any this about this piece as I have been trying to find something similar for a while. Thanks in advance for any information.

 

The Dinka from South Sudan often have these unusually shaped headrests, so it could be Dinka.
I will tag @2manybooks for you, she'll know.

 

There are some similarities with Dinka headrests, but the style of the human face points more toward Oceania. It may be a type known from the region of the Markham Valley in New Guinea. Here are some examples (note the similar round cap on the head) -


https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auc...azera-neckrest-markham-valley-morobe-province


https://www.new-guinea-tribal-arts.com/tribal-headrests/

Yours lacks the polished patina of these examples which may mean it was made for sale, not original use.

 

Therein 'lies the (crucial) rub' re ethnographic art/artifacts-that patina,once expertly assessed and bonafide can mean thousands.

 

Thank you all so much for your help. I am thoroughly enjoying learning more about this area.