Big ornament and currency ring "yua" · Papua New Guinea, Abelam · ID: 3039289
sold
EUR 3,600
Size
D: 15 cm (inside), 25,5 cm
D: 5.9 inch (inside), 10.0 inch
Description
Tridacna shell, well-proportioned rounding on the inside, incised notches along rim, min. dam., small missing parts;
such rings were used as primitive money but men used to wear them during ritual dances as well. Sometimes they were even given to young girls who were about to marry. They fixed the rings to special bags used to be worn with a headband, and thus made them an important part of their festive costume. They were used for decoration of the big yam root as well.