Oceania, Melanesia, Solomon Islands, Choiseul Island, ca. 19th century or earlier. A fascinating barava (shell plaque) intricately carved from the shell of a giant clam. This example comes from the Solomon Islands, where this artform reached its apex. Note the ornate openwork of this barava, replete with an upper and a lower register of abstract figures – with stylized circular heads and limbs akimbo. In between is a wide register featuring a net-like pattern, and at the bottom is a large perfect circular ring. Size: 4.6" W x 9.25" H (11.7 cm x 23.5 cm); 10.375" H (26.4 cm) on included custom stand.

See a similar example at the Metropolitan Museum of Art on view in Gallery 354 (accession number 1979.206.1424). According to the Met’s curatorial description of this piece, "Objects fashioned from the hard marble-like shell of the giant clam are prized by many Melanesian peoples. The art of working giant-clam shell reached its apogee in the Solomon Islands. The most complex clam shell objects were barava, ornate openwork plaques created in the western Solomon Islands. The designs on some barava are geometric, but many include stylized human figures interspersed with forms that resemble faces, shown with spiral eyes and grinning mouths filled with minute teeth. Barava appear to have been associated with burial places and were reportedly used to adorn structures housing the skulls of prominent men or slain enemies or placed on graves. In the past, some barava formed part of vovoso, powerful charms carried in war canoes during headhunting expeditions to protect the crew and ensure success."

CF: Waite, Deborah. Art of the Solomon Islands: From the Collection of the Barbier-Muller. Geneva: Musee Barbier-Mueller, 1983.

Kjellgren, Eric. Oceania: Art of the Pacific Islands in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. New York and New Haven: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2007, no. 102, p. 173.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Michael Evans collection, New Zealand, acquired in 2005

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#154573

Professionally repaired from several large pieces, with light adhesive residue and smooth resurfacing along break lines. Losses and light erosion to areas of interior designs and periphery. Light earthen deposits within some recesses, and smooth surfaces throughout. Old inventory label on verso.