Necklace Currency in Package
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-neck ornaments
Datemid 20th Century
Collection SitePapua New Guinea
Made AtPapua New Guinea
MediumKina shell (pinctada maxima), bark cloth and leaf, fiber and raffia
Dimensions8 × 7 1/2 × 1 1/2 in. (20.3 × 19.1 × 3.8 cm)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.58
DescriptionThis currency package was collected in the Highland area of Papua New Guinea and dates back to the mid-20th Century. The package consists of and iridescent white kina shell necklace with a woven dark red neck band inside a presentation package. The package consists of dark brown bark cloth and raffia stitches and thread. Kina shell necklaces are highly prized throughout Papua New Guinea. They can function as everyday adornments or as valuable currency and exchange items. Those that are worn as adornments are similar to this piece in that they are small and they lack the red pearlized coloring that attributes value to the kina. The process of creating such a pendant is quite time consuming and involves various tools. The small holes that adorn the upper lip of this example were made with a drill. The two large holes at each side were at one time strung with a fibrous string so that the pendant could be worn around the neck.On View
Not on view
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 19th to early 20th Century
20th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century
mid 20th Century
20th Century
mid 20th Century
