Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. 18th to 19th century CE. A necklace made from woven vegetal fiber cordage woven around dozens of drilled animal teeth. The teeth are short and slightly curved, probably pig, and drilled through the root and lashed into place with woven sennit cords. In pre-colonial Papua New Guinea, animal tooth necklaces like this one, adorned with boar, dog, crocodile, and even bat teeth, held significant importance as status markers and were valuable trade goods. These necklaces served not only as a means of exchange but also as decorative ornaments. Size: 9" L x 6.5" W (22.9 cm x 16.5 cm); 12.5" H (31.8 cm) on included custom stand; teeth: 0.6" L (1.5 cm)

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Dr Frank Burnett collection, England.

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#184719

Missing a few teeth with chips and losses to others. Cords have some fraying to the ends, and the terminal end on the right side is torn off but reattached with modern monofilament wire. Mounted on an acrylic display stand.