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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 #:
  9202
• Lot Description:
  A Superb Antique Dogs Teeth Chest Ornament from the Ramu River Area in the Madang Province of Papua New Guinea
  Together with a Fine Old Abelam Bone Dagger. 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.
  L 35 - 48 cm
• Provenance:
  Todd Barlin Collection of Oceanic Art
• Notes:
  Dogs Teeth are one of the most important types of traditional wealth used throughout New Guinea. Not just all dogs' teeth but the four front canine teeth. The native dogs in New Guinea are similar to Australian Dingo's they were brought by people from SE Asia long ago, some research said that dogs arrived in New Guinea 5000 years ago. Dogs teeth are used in many types of traditional ornaments from simple necklaces to complex arrangement like this fine pectoral ornament where the Dogs Teeth are sewn to stand in perfect neat rows. This fine old pectoral also has some old glass trade beads that add to its beauty. When the Germans were in New Guinea before WW1, they saw how important Dogs Teeth were in the local economy and with foresight they had porcelain dogs' teeth made in Dresden Germany and shipped them to New Guinea to pay native people for working on plantations. Those white porcelain dogs' teeth can still be seen mixed in with real dogs' teeth on ornaments from New Guinea.
• Estimate:
  A$400 - 600
• 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.