• Papua New Guinea

• Mid 20th Century

• Yellow-lipped clam, woven natural fiber, cowrie shells, and pigment

• Shell: 8.75 x 6.5 in. / 22 x 17 cm

• Height on custom display stand: 11 in. / 28 cm

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• Abelam Culture, Papua New Guinea

• Fiber, Boar Tusks, Nassa Shells, Pigment

• Early/Mid 20th Century

• Dimensions: 13.75 x 3.5 x 3.25 in. / 35 x 9 x 8 cm

• Height on custom display stand: 15.625 in. / 40 cm

• Provenance: Ex. Michael Hamson

This piece is an excellent example of adornment used by Abelam warriors to frighten their enemies. They are held in a warrior’s mouth for courage and to intimidate their adversary. Away from combat, they are appealing and captivating.

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• Huon Peninsula, Papua New Guinea

• Dog Teeth, German Porcelain Dog Teeth, Vegetable Fiber, Nassa Shells, Wood

• Early 20th Century

• 14.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 in. / 37 x 14 x 2.5 cm

• Height on custom display stand: 16.5 in. / 42 cm

Look closely at this pectoral to see if you can spot the dog teeth made from porcelain. When the colonials arrived in Papua New Guinea and wanted to hire the locals, their money held no value. Upon their return to Germany, the resourceful Germans manufactured porcelain versions of the local currencies - shells and dog teeth. They were widely accepted in Papua New Guinea society for their consistent form and used as “the real thing” as seen in this piece.

Domestic shipping included. International shipping quoted separately.

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