A Solomon Islands canoe prow ornament nguzu nguzu

A Solomon Islands canoe prow ornament nguzu nguzu
Melanesia
the head with a fine diced coiffure, inset shell eyes with ebonised pupils, a long nose, raised diced moustache and slightly parted lips, with red pigment, the face with inlaid cut shell scroll decoration, long open ear lobes and the raised hands holding a bird under the chin,
24.5cm high.