Search Results

Image 1 of 1

Container for pearl shell valuable, 20th century
Bark or pandanus leaf, liana thread, pigment, enclosing a gold-lip pearl shell (Pinctada maxima), clay, resin, and pigment displayed on a woven necklace
21 x 18 x 7 cm (8 1/4 x 7 1/16 x 2 3/4 in.)
The Marcia and John Friede Collection, a Promised Gift to the Fine Arts Museums of San Francisco L05.1.12

Zoom this image

Artist Biography: (none) PROVENANCE: Jolika Collection of New Guinea Art PUBLICATIONS: 2005 - "This object contains a gold-lip pearl shell (kina in Melanesian Pidgin) ornament, which is a shell valuable in parts of the Highlands. It would appear that such shells were packed in several layers of padded materials, including leaves, before being placed in their containers. For such an example from the Southern Highlands with geometrical motifs, see Heermann and Menter, 1990: 38; from Mount Hagen, Central Highlands, see Bergdolt, 1986: 78. The shell is stored in its container until it is revealed at the appropriate time in a ceremonial context. In the Southern Highlands, the shell is attached to a kind of woven fiber necklance, rather than on a plaque, as in plate 581. This does not necessarily mean it is worn as a necklace, however. For ceremonial purposes, the shell may be placed on a padded substance which is put on the leaves on the ground; this is done, for example, when "the shell wealth of a dead southern Highland chef is displayed before distribution among his family" (Holdsworth, 1974: 23). Also, "at pay-back ceremonies the shell is first laid out on a line of leaves kept straight by long poles of bamboo. Then the shell is uncovered and there is much discussion and ceremony such as two men with spears running back and forth" (Moriarty, 1973: 54, cat. nol. H157). The shell ornaments may also be held in the hand and dangle loosely in front of the body of a headman during a peace ceremony when leaders of conflicting groups exchange such shell valuables to mark an end to hostilities and indicate future cooperation (see Eastburn, 1978: 9). In earlier times in the Southern Highlands, before the Europeans imported pearl shells to pay their workers, even a tiny fragment of a shell had enormous value. These shell fragments were only owned by the most important men. They were displayed on a crescent-shaped plaque or somp, attached to a woven necklace band. Their outlines were similar to the later pearl shell necklace treatment in the region. It is possible that the figure on this container represents a Yupin figure. (See also pl. 589-90). A similar container to this one is in the Beth Pryce Collection, Sydney." (Catalog #591, New Guinea Art: Masterpieces from the Jolika Collection of Marcia and John Friede, 2005, Volume 2, p. 191.)

Related Keywords
valuable for Francisco San Museums Arts Fine Gift Promised Friede John Marcia Art Jolika recorded people culture Oceania Province Highlands Southern Guinea New Object Ritual necklace woven displayed resin clay maxima Pinctada pearl lip gold enclosing thread liana pandanus Bark Ornament Shell Kina hold Used pigment red front figure painted fiber leaf folded made Container 0709200406050066 A360927 L05.1.12 AOA