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Rainey Knudson

62. Senufo Headdress with Horns and Bird

Senufo peoples, Headdress with Horns and Bird (Lo society), Côte d'Ivoire, Africa, 1865–1935. Wood and metal, approx.. 24 × 22 × 11 inches.

My first thought is: eat your heart out, Brunhilda. But of course, nobody has the market cornered on horned helmets, much less on something so primal as horned spirits and deities. These appear in mythologies throughout the world, although Christianity seems to be unique in associating horns exclusively with evil spirits. Regardless of all that, if the point is to puff yourself up, to harness your inner strength and project “don't even think about messing with me,” if you need to muster your reserves and go kill the wabbit, a fantastically graphic headpiece like this might just do the trick.


 

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