Currency (Wafu)
ClassificationsCurrency and Exchange Objects
Culture
Lumi
Dateearly 20th Century
Made AtSandaun Province, Papua New Guinea
MediumPlant fiber and nassa shell
Dimensions24 1/2 × 15 1/4 × 1/2 in. (62.2 × 38.7 × 1.3 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2013.5.20
DescriptionThe shell currencies of the Lumi area in the Torricelli Mountains are called "wafu". This is an excellent example with a beautiful overall shape, a full complement of nassa shells and a back showing real age and field use. Wafu were used for a number of transactions requiring the exchange of valuables such as bride price, death compensation and the buying of pigs.On View
Not on viewCollections
late 19th to mid 20th Century