War magic Parasi Head Hunter's Coup Staff circa WWII. 

Nomad Fly River, Papua New Guinea. 

For further discussion on this rare artefact see Papuans of the Trans Fly 1936 F.E. Williams pp266-269.  Williams thought this item of such importance in Head Hunter society and culture from this region that he used an image of a similar example for the dust jacket cover.  Discussion in the book describes intended doomed victims being rendered helpless and stupefied by being touched by a senior man's Parasi.  This particular example has a portrait at its centre of a known individual 'Big Man' in an adjoining village who was to be the intended victim of the next head hunting raid.  A significant and rare, well preserved example of this powerful battle magic staff.  Williams rates this mysterious and highly ornamental wand as indicative of Trans Fly pre contact head hunter and internecine warfare culture.

Local wood, natural earth ochre and charcoal, bush string and feathers.
Length 105cm (41 inches) width 9.5cm (4 inches)