Title / object name Porcupine fish helmet
Medium Summary fish skin, plant fibre
Materials fish scale, plant fibre
| Dimensions |
| Overall | 240 (Height) x 250 (Width) x 290 (Depth) mm |
Classification helmets
Registration Number FE010482
Credit LineGift of Jennifer Orange, 1995
This is a warrior's helmet, made from the dried skin of a porcupine fish (Diodon sp., probably Diodon hystrix), lined with plaited pandanus strips. The skin is oriented so that the tail forms a peak at the back and the two fins form wings on either side. The lining has been partly plaited to fit, like a rounded basket, but then cut and overlapped in three places so that it fits snugly. The base is edged with a roll of plant fibre which has been neatly sewn to the edge of the skin with a blanket stitch in fine twisted cord of light and dark fibres.