Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Southern or Western Highlands or East Sepik region, ca. early to mid-20th century CE. This is a lovely ceremonial necklace made of a large crescent piece of kina shell and woven vegetal fibers. The shell is cut and polished then pierced on the terminal tips for suspension, the cords looped through the tips. Cowrie shells are woven into the thickest area of the cords, the strand tapering to a loop and knot closure for the wearer. The kina shell is striking with an iridescent nacre surface and hues of pale yellow, golden tan, and creamy beige. Kina shells are used as currency among tribes of the coastal, Southern Highlands, and Western Highlands regions of Papua New Guinea. This piece would have been used as a bride price and later worn on special occasions and ceremonies as a status ornament to demonstrate wealth. Size (shell with cord): 11" L x 7.75" W (27.9 cm x 19.7 cm); (shell only): 7.75" L x 0.25" W x 2.5" H (19.7 cm x 0.6 cm x 6.4 cm)

For a similar example and more information, please see the Queensland Museum website, registration number: E40852.

Provenance: private Glorieta, New Mexico, USA collection

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#164749

Fraying to woven cords especially where they attach to shell pendant, we do not recommend hanging this by the cord due to fragile nature. Nicks and chips to shell pendant and light brown mineral deposits. Nacre surface is largely intact with great iridescence.