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_900x900.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_200x200.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_900x900.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
_200x200.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
.jpg "Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head")
LOT 2178
Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head
19TH CENTURY A.D.
8 in. (810 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand).
A tribal head modelled from leather with applied hair, moustache, eyebrows and eyelashes; pierced through the lips and ears; set in a later glass dome with base. [No Reserve]
ProvenanceAcquired Mellors & Kirk, circa 2019.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D’Amato.
This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
The freak show was the archetypal expression of popular culture, enjoyed by everyone regardless of their class. The freak show was presented to the public as entertaining and educational, offering the opportunity to learn about anatomy and the ‘realities’ of people from foreign lands. The real 'shrunken heads' known as tsantsas were severed human heads that were used by tribal cultures as war trophies or for ceremonial purposes. They were also used to scare off an enemy, using the heads as a threat, or also in religious rituals.
CONDITIONTimeLine Auctions follows a vetting process to ensure the authenticity and legality of all items, reinforcing our commitment to integrity and responsible trading. Each antiquity, antique, and coin lot undergoes thorough examination by a vetting committee of at least ten external specialists, professional trade association members, scientists, and archaeologists: Our Vetting Process
AUCTIONS:
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LOT 2178
Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head
Sold for (Inc. bp): £390
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Post Medieval Silver Thimble with Initials AT
19th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £85
With regularly placed dimples, horizontal banding, initials 'AT' at base. 5.63 grams, 24 mm
Acquired on the UK art market in the early 2000s. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Post Medieval 'Thames' Iron Triangular Padlock
16th-17th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £98
An iron padlock of triangular 'box' form, hole for key set into a central tapering D-section rib; rectangular-section hinged arm, fixed in locked position. 152 grams, 95 mm
Fair condition.
Found on the Thames foreshore, London, UK. Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection (part 4), Essex, UK. From the private collection of John Meredith, acquired since the 1990s; thence by descent. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato. -
Post Medieval Marble Head of a Woman
20th century A.D.Sold for (Inc. bp): £7
Carved in post-classical style with centre-parted hair developing to a coiled plait, stern facial features, flared neck with mounting panel beneath. 6.6 kg, 21.5 cm
Acquired on the UK art market in the 1990s. From the Dr Ince collection, N.W. London, UK. This lot is accompanied by an illustrated lot declaration signed by the Head of the Antiquities Department, Dr Raffaele D'Amato.
