PAPUA NEW GUINEA KINA SHELL PECTORAL NECKLACE

Ca. 20th century AD > A Papua New Guinea kina-shell pectoral necklace formed from a large crescent-shaped shell suspended from a broad fibre strap. The shell displays a lustrous pinkish-cream surface with a darker outer edge. Pearl-shell valuables circulated from coastal areas into the New Guinea Highlands, where they could be worn and exchanged in major social transactions. Their value lay in relationships as well as appearance: marriage payments and other exchanges helped create obligations, prestige and enduring links between communities. > For similar see: Museum of New Zealand, registration number FE006303. > Size: 380mm x 200mm; Weight: 215g > Provenance: Private London Collection; Ex. Private UK Collection. > >

Estimate:£240

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