Victorian 'Freaks Fair' Model of a Shrunken Head

19TH CENTURY A.D.

8 in. (810 grams total, 20.5 cm including stand).

An imitation shrunken 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]

Provenance

Acquired Mellors & Kirk, circa 2019.
Ian Wilkinson collection, Nottinghamshire, UK, formed since 1985.

Footnotes

The Victorian ‘freak show’ played a significant role in mid- and late-nineteenth century popular culture, enjoyed by everyone regardless of their class. Such shows, which often travelled the country, were 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 carefully preserved, severed human heads that were used by the Jivaroan people of the Amazon as war trophies, for ceremonial purposes, or to intimidate enemies.

CONDITION

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LOT 2163