Engraved pearl shell "riji", "jakoli" or "longkalongka" ·  Australia, Western Kimberley · ID: 3051130

Description

red ochre, unadorned back

Pearl shells, known as “riji” or “jakoli” in the Bardi language, are associated with water, spiritual powers and healing due to the luminous shimmering quality of their surfaces.

The Nyikina of the Fitzroy River basin suspend pearl shell by hair belts or cords from a frame. It is believed that the shells, flashing lightning as they rotate in the breeze, attract rain-bearing clouds.

The object Engraved pearl shell “riji”, “jakoli” or “longkalongka” with the object ID 3051130 was last part of the auction Auction 103 at November 16, 2024 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 342.

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Comparing literature

Akerman, Kim & John Stanton, Riji and Jakuli: Kimberley Pearl Shell in Aboriginal Australia, o.O. 1993, p. 20 ff.

Notices

This object is subject to CITES. Please note that it can only be sent within the European Union. At the present time export in third countries is prohibited, respectively, export licenses in third countries for objects containing or made of protected materials are only granted under stringent conditions.