Necklace Currency (Kina)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-neck ornaments
Datemid 19th to early 20th Century
Made AtPapua New Guinea
Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia
MediumPearl shell
Dimensions5 1/2 × 7 × 1/8 in. (14 × 17.8 × 0.3 cm)
Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection
Object number2015.17.19
DescriptionKina 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
20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
20th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century
19th Century