Huli, Wage, Enga, Ipili: Engan language group
German New Guinea - British New Guinea - Territory of New Guinea (Highlands, Papua New Guinea)
Early 20th century (ca. 1900 - 1930)
Kina shell, plant fiber, cowrie shell, hide
Height: 18,4cm
Width: 18,4cm
Collection Date: 2023

Ex. Uk Collection: UK (2023)
Ex. Late Rolf Italiaander Collection: Museum Rade, Hamburg, Germany (1989)
Ex. Johnson Collection: Los Angeles, California, USA

A very old kina shell, crescent-shaped cut and polished from the yellow-lipped clam used as symbols of status, for prosperity, wealth, currency, or adornment from the tribes in the highlands of Papua New Guinea.

It retains its original plaited carrying strap of twisted plant fiber bands with attached cowrie (tange) shells on each side. Both shell and fiber dyed red with ocre. Small patch of hide dyed with red pigment attached to the band.

This item was one of a large number of quality pieces from Africa and Oceana purchased in 1989 from the late Rolf Italiaander (explorer, ethnographer, collector, writer). Beforehand, it was part of the Johnson Collection in Los Angeles, USA.

• https://www.michaelbackmanltd.com/object/yoruba-ogboni-staves/

• https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2021/art-of-africa-oceania-and-the-americas/pair-of-yoruba-ogboni-edan-figures-nigeria

• https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/316605

• https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1886-1209-2