MAGNIFICENT 19TH C. ILONGOT HEADHUNTER'S HORNBILL HEADDRESS

Origin: Philippines, Northern Luzon, Ilongot tribe  Provenance:  I sold this rare piece about 8 years ago and just had the unique opportunity to buy it back from a collector.  Ex. Erik Farrow San Rafael, CA.  Ex. Collection Tucker Robins New York, 1998 (Noted Furniture Artist)  

Period/Date: Late 19th Century

Materials:  Wood/ wicker rattan, copper, brass, Scarlet Hornbill Bird, pearl shell, red string

Description:  This gorgeous hornbill headdress is called a "Panglao" and is presented on a custom metal stand.  The wearing of the "Panglao" indicates to all that its owner has taken a human "head".  For the Ilongot, red is a highly charged color which excites passion, anger and energy.  What makes it so special is its undisputable age, likely dating to the 1880s.  There are probably less than a dozen of these existent of this period with such quality traditional construction!  In addition, most of these were made for sale in the 1970's-80's, so to find an authentic one of this vintage is all the more rare.   It is made of the skull of the scarlet Hornbill bird ingeniously attached to a thin bent wicker structure forming a headband.  The eyes are plugged with mother-of-pearl and are secured with red string.  The dangling pendants are made of  twisted copper wire with delicately cut pieces of mother-of-pearl.   It has acquired an encrusted patina and the fancy brass and copper fittings are oxidized from age.  The hornbill skull is thin and fragile by nature.  There is some slight loss to the top edge of the skull and to the opposite side as would be expected on a piece this old.

A similar example can be seen on page 168 of "Form and Splendor" by Roberto Maramba, Copyright 1998.

Dimensions:   Length 21"  (53.5 cm), Width 7.5"  (19 cm)

Price:   $3000   Currency Conversion   FREE SHIPPING When Using "Buy Now" Feature

Page 170 of "Form and Splendor"

                 Ilongot weapons with two Panglao's,  Dean Worcester Collection (Nat. Geogr.1912).