Taxon: Casuarius / Loans: S1980-1981 #34: Triton Museum of Art (November 17, 1980–January 7, 1981) - Hearst Museum Portal Search Results

Start Over Taxon Casuarius Loans S1980-1981 #34: Triton Museum of Art (November 17, 1980–January 7, 1981)

Hearst Museum object titled Flute, accession number 11-40757, described as flute; sacred bamboo flute with plaited fiber strips and cassowary feathers at both ends; most of one side overlaid with zoomorphic decoration with head composed of gourd and mastic with inset shells, loop-like nose; cowries and other shells set in mastic with cassowary feather trim cover most of one side; sacred flute regarded ad the embodiment of the crocodile spirits of the river; such flutes are usually associated with a cult of supernatural masks; they are hereditary possessions which are addressed by kinship terms and offered food; cf. 11-40731