This flute consists of a flute stopper depicting a human head surmounted by a flying fox (fruit bat) attached with natural fibers to a bamboo tube. It has been decorated with cowrie shells and red ochre pigment. This flute was collected by Hawaiian architect Pete Wimberly, who aided in the post–World War II reconstruction of New Guinea. It has obvious good age.

The piece comes with a custom wall mount that can be attached to a wall with two screws. The flute slides over the mount and is displayed floating a few inches off the wall.

REFERENCES

Friede, John, John Bigelow Taylor, and Dianne Dubler. New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the

Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede. Vol. 1. San Francisco: Fine Arts Museums of

San Francisco in association with 5 Continents Editions, 2005, p. 207, fig. 84.