Pubic Cover
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-pubic covers
Datemid 20th Century
Made AtWestern Province, Papua New Guinea
Collection SiteWestern Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumShell and plant fiber
Dimensions9 1/8 × 3 3/4 × 1 1/2 in., 3.32 oz. (23.2 × 9.5 × 3.8 cm, 0.094 kg.)
Credit LineAnonymous Gift
Object number2017.10.77
DescriptionThe bailer shell was worn as a form of adornment on multiple parts of the body, such as the head, chest, or, in this case, the pubic area. Attached to the body by fiber, the shells were not often elaborately decorated, but were relatively rare and therefore valuable. In some regions of Papua New Guinea, bailer shells were an important element of bride price exchange, and are comparable in value to pigs.This shell pubic cover was collected from the Fly River Delta in the Western Province of Papua New Guinea.
On View
Not on view
19th to 20th Century
mid 20th Century
20th Century
19th to 20th Century
20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
