Chest ornament-shell valuable
Production date
Pre 1913
Country
Solomon Islands
State/Province
Western
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Object detail
Description
Register description: Chest ornament-shell valuable, BARAVA carved and ground ring of clam shell (Tridacna gigas) hung from red plaited plant fibre cord. L.440mm,W.117mm
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander body ornament
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander currency
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander currency
Maker
Production date
Pre 1913
Production place
Measurements
L420 x W118 x H23 mm
Media/Materials description
Shell, plant fibre
History and use
Shell disks cut from the giant clam (Tridacna gigas) served as a form of currency in the Western Province of Solomon Islands, where they could be used as bride price or in land transactions. This ring would be worn suspended from the neck by the plaited red fibre. This piece was formerly on display in the library of Oxley State High School, until its closure in 2000.
Registration number
E17468