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• Auction House:
  Theodore Bruce
• Sale Name:
  Timed Online Auction | The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic and Asian Art | Day I
• Sale Date:
  08 Aug 2022 ~ 6pm (AEST)
• Lot #:
  9195
• Lot Description:
  A Superb Old Massim Prestige Necklace Made from Red Shell Money Discs
  and a Boars Tusk Pendant Called Doga from the Milne Bay Province of Papua New Guinea. This beautiful old Necklace from the Massim Culture. The necklace made of large pink shell money discs with an old Boars Tusk as the centre piece. The back of the necklace has a white egg cowrie shell and two pearl shell dangles. It is a type of traditional wealth called a Kula Ornament.
  L 43 cm
• Provenance:
  The late David Baker (1943-2009). David was the president of The Oceanic Arts Society of Australia and was a great collector, expert & supporter of Oceanic Art & Cultures; & The Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art.
• Notes:
  Personal Ornaments in New Guinea and the Pacific Islands are some of the most beautiful objects made by the indigenous people of the Pacific Islands. Ornaments made from shells or animal teeth are not only decorations to wear but they are part of the traditional wealth and currency used by native people. They are used to pay for bridal dowries by young man's family or as compensation for different types of disputes like over land for gardens or used in traditional ceremonies where giving wealth to others creates future obligations or debts. Kula valuables traded purely for purposes of enhancing one's social status and prestige. Carefully prescribed customs and traditions surround the ceremonies that accompany the exchanges which establish strong, ideally lifelong relationships between the exchange parties (karayta'u, "partners"). The act of giving is a display of the greatness of the giver, accompanied by shows of exaggerated modesty in which the value of what is given is actively played down. Such a partnership involves strong mutual obligations such as hospitality, protection and assistance. Kula valuables never remain for long in the hands of the recipients; rather, they must be passed on to other partners within a certain amount of time, thus constantly circling around the ring. However, even temporary possession brings prestige and status. Important chiefs can have hundreds of partners while less significant participants may only have fewer than a dozen.
• Estimate:
  A$300 - 500
• Realised Price:
  *****
  

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• Category:
  Tribal

This Sale has been held and this item is no longer available. Details are provided for information purposes only.