Portretstudie van twee zijden, van een Alfoer (Papoeatype) van het eiland Kobroor, Aru eilanden, Zuidoost-Molukken c. 1824

This is a pencil drawing by Adrianus Johannes Bik, made in 1824, depicting an Alfoer from Kobroor Island. Observe the woman’s adornments—the feathered headdress and the jewelry. These are not mere decorations; they are symbols deeply rooted in the cultural identity and status within her community. Consider how feathered headdresses appear across cultures from ancient Egypt to the Americas, each time signifying power, divinity, or spiritual connection. Jewelry, too, often transcends mere ornamentation, becoming an emblem of identity, a narrative etched in precious materials. These motifs are constantly being revived. Think of the crowns of royalty, religious icons, and fashion statements of today. Through the ages, these forms reappear. In our subconscious, the feathered headdress and adornments elicit associations with authority, mystique, and primal connection, engaging viewers on a deeply emotional level. They resurface, evolve, and take on new meanings, perpetually weaving through the fabric of our collective memory.