Chest Ornament Currency (Kap Kap)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-chest ornaments
Datemid 19th - early 20th Century
Made AtSolomon Islands
Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia
MediumClam shell, turtle shell and fiber
Dimensions6 1/2 × 2 3/4 × 1/8 in. (16.5 × 7 × 0.3 cm)
Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection
Object number2015.17.20
DescriptionKap-kaps are shell ornaments worn by men of high status. The ornaments would be attached to fiber bands or string and could be worn around the forehead or the neck. This example is unusual because two shell discs are attached to each other. All known examples of kap-kaps are worn individually. In addition, kap-kaps were valued for their smooth and polished surfaces. Achieving such a surface was time consuming yet essential to the kap-kap’s appearance. The surface of the smaller disc bears a natural swirl pattern and ridges. It also lacks a central hole through which the turtle shell overlay would be secured.On View
Not on view
19th to 20th Century
mid to late 1800s
mid 20th Century
19th to early 20th Century
20th Century
20th Century