Boar's Tusk Currency
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments
Datemid 19th - early 20th Century
Made AtPapua New Guinea
Collection SiteSydney, New South Wales, Australia, Australia
MediumBoar tusk
Dimensions4 1/2 × 4 1/4 × 1/2 in. (11.4 × 10.8 × 1.3 cm)
Credit LineThe George Stanley Lodin Collection
Object number2015.17.24
DescriptionA boar’s lower tusks are items of value in Papua New Guinea. Procuring such tusks is a tedious process. In order to do so, the upper tusks must be removed so that the lower tusks can grow in a circular shape. This can take up to 12 years. When the boars approach the end of their lives, it becomes necessary to hand feed them and fence them in so that they do not break the tusks. As a circular tusk is classified as a tusk with at least a ¾ circular shape, a double ring such as this is very impressive and rarely seen. It likely took an extremely long time and great amounts of care to grow this example. In general, tusks are used as exchange items, status symbols and adornments throughout Papua New Guinea. As adornments, the tusks can be pendants on necklaces, nose ornaments, armlets, etc.On View
On view
mid 19th to early 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
early to mid 20th Century
20th Century
19th Century
