CUSTOM ORDER – LOOSE PAPUAN NECKLACES
£2,070
SOURCE: PAPUA
AGE: APPROXIMATELY 1 year
DIMENSIONS: various
PALETTE: various
SHELLS: various
NECKLACE DETAILS: THESE SHELL NECKLACES ARE INSPIRED BY THE traditional ‘bilas’ ceremonial attire OF THE INHABITANTS OF PAPUA, WHICH COMPRISE NECKLACES, NOSE PIECES, HEADBANDS, CHEST ORNAMENTATION, ARMBANDS, HEADDRESSES, AND BRACELETS. A BEWILDERING RANGE OF FLORA AND FAUNA GO INTO THESE ACCESSORIES: shells, feathers, teeth, ferns, coral, bones, trade beads, bamboo, tusks, flowers, seeds and vines.
IN PAPUA ‘MONEY COWRIE’ SHELLS WERE TRADITIONALLY THE EQUIVALENT OF OUR DOLLARS OR POUNDS STERLING, AND THEY ARE still used as currency today IN PARTS OF PAPUA NEW GUINEA. IN THE HIGHLAND COMMUNITIES OF PAPUA, IN ORDER TO WIN A WIFE MEN STILL HAVE TO RAISE A BRIDE PRICE, WHICH ALWAYS INCLUDES A NUMBER OF THE PRIZED MONEY COWRIE SHELLS AS WELL AS pigs, kina shells rubbed with red ochre and rupiah currency.
THIS NECKLACE WAS MADE IN THE LAST YEAR, FROM 100% natural seashells and coral wash up, TRI-COLOURED SEEDS AND A NATURAL WOVEN FIBRE. IT’S A COMPLICATED PROCESS, PARTICULARLY THE SHAPING OF THE SHELLS WHICH IS DONE WITH ABRASIVES SUCH AS shark skin and sand, AS WELL AS A SIMPLE BAMBOO KNIFE.
FOR more information ON / GRATUITOUS PHOTOS OF PAPUAN GOODIES, CLICK THROUGH {HERE} TO demand authenticity.
WRINKLES: THE OCCASIONAL WRINKLE OR SUNSPOT THAT SOME OF OUR PIECES HAVE ACQUIRED OVER THE YEARS, AS WELL AS THEIR HANDMADE QUIRKS, ARE PART OF THEIR one of a kind artisanal charm. WE THINK THESE NECKLACES ARE PRETTY MUCH PERFECT HOWEVER.
DESIGN TIPS: PLONK IT DOWN LOOSE ON YOUR COFFEE TABLE FOR A unique accent, OR ASK US TO MOUNT OR FRAME IT FOR ADDED IMPACT.
Out of stock
