Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. 19th to mid 20th century CE. An impressive necklace composed of bamboo and seed beads strung between two strands with a boar’s tusk pendant at the center. The smaller black beads are banana seeds, and the larger beads are seed pods. The cylindrical brown beads are made from hollow stalks of bamboo. The circular pendant is comprised of two boars' teeth that are tethered together with fibrous strips. Boars are considered as animals of wealth and prestige in Sepik culture, and wearing an impressive tusk indicated social status. The tusks were used as currency and dowry pieces, and could even act as compensation for disputes. A remarkable piece! Size of case: 17.75" L x 11.75" W x 2" H (45.1 cm x 29.8 cm x 5.1 cm) strand length: 34" L (86.4 cm); tusk pendant: Size: 3.5" Diameter x .5" W (8.9 cm x 1.3 cm)

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection

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#142489

  • Condition: Not wearable in current state but could be restrung. One strand is loose with fraying of threads and one loose section of beads. One bead is completely loose from strand. Boar tusk has a chip and loss to tip of tooth. All is contained in a modern glass case.

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April 15, 2021 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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