Vintage Papua New Guinea Shell Choker Pendant Tribal Ethnic Historic Statement deals Necklace Art

ABOUT THIS JEWELRY (Scroll down for item description)


During a trip to Indonesia, I acquired a number of interesting artifacts and tribal jewelry pieces from a gentleman who lived for 13 years among several tribes on the Sepik River in Papua New Guinea. All of these pieces are vintage and all have been worn, though the exact age is unknown. Some might go back as far as 80-90 years. He told me that these seed beads and carved shell creations are kept, wrapped and stored to be passed down through the generations for ceremonies or barter, though often the hemp crocheted (macramé) parts were replaced if badly worn.

Some of the designs of these pieces can be found in a book I have long owned called "Frank Hurley in Papua, Photographs of the 1920-1923 Expeditions" by Jim Specht and John Fields………, published in 1984, which I also offer for sale.

The quality of the pieces I am presenting is excellent. Some, with macrame parts, may have been washed, stretched and sun-dried. Some will, perhaps, need a dusting off deals but I prefer not to touch them. All are perfectly intact. They have great architectural appeal, whether worn as jewelry or displayed as art in one's home. Several of the pieces, such as the (kina) mother of pearl shell and the round doughnut yua were and still are used as money. Shells include conus, mother of pearl, clam and cowrie. Most are meticulously and tediously carved, honed and polished.

Many pieces like these, and similar, are housed in collections and galleries worldwide. They are part of a “living history” that unfortunately may become “past history” within a generation or two.

THIS PIECE:

A simple pendant of honed clam shell. One side is white with some natural darkening (pale orange, deeper than the photos) and minor blemishes while the other is a rich swirled brown. The shell is edged with bright yellow and black sturdy straw braiding. The pendant has SUBSTANTIAL WEIGHT ....this is not a light, hollow shell.... and hangs from macrame cording.

Longish choker style. Size is 19 inches in length altogether. Shell is about 3.2" in diameter

Closes with shell and jute toggle.