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Ornament for shell valuable, Talipoon, 20th century
Basketry made from the stem of lygodium (a climbing vine), bone pin, cassowary feathers, pigment
40 x 27 x 14 cm (15 3/4 x 10 5/8 x 5 1/2 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.5

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Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "These ornaments were attached to large snail shells, Turbo marmoratus. The complete object was a valuable item used for inter-village transactions, in particular bride price payments by the family of the bridegroom and other transactions. After the marriage, the largest share of the valuables were given to the bride's brothers to help pay for their own marriages. This talipoon has a small pig-like creature emerging above the head. The riased arms are a rare feature. The sea shells were obtained on a three-day trek over the mountains to trade for salt. Although apparently made in only a few Boiken villages, talipoon traveled far beyond their area of orgin to become part of ceremonial exchanges among neighboring ethnic groups. The woven parts of the objects, such as the face shown here, are representations of clan spirits in either human or animal shape, while 'abstract' shapes also occur (see Itzikovitz, 2003; Coleman and Cunningham, 1975, figs. 127-29; and Kocher Schmid in Greub, 1985, figs. 101-4)." (Catalog #303, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 132.)

Related Keywords
Talipoon valuable shell for Ornament Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika people Boiken Oceania Province Sepik East Guinea New Sculpture feathers pin bone vine climbing lygodium stem made edge along fethares cassowary knotted surface over clay pigment thick sections added form Basketry 0709200406050185 A360920 L05.1.5 AOA