Necklace "soulava" · Papua New Guinea, Milne Bay Province, D' Entrecasteaux Islands · ID: 3048002
Ben Hirsch, Maastricht, The Netherlands
Description
various shells (red Spondylus shell), various fibres, imported glass beads,
Necklaces “soulava” are part of a ceremonial exchange system among the inhabitants of the Melanesian Islands, which is called “kula exchange” or “kula ring” by ethnologists.
These Melanesian islands are arranged almost in a circle, and necklaces “soulava” are exchanged between them in one direction and arm rings “mwali” in the opposite direction.
The individual necklaces and arm rings have a sacred character, each with its own orally transmitted story. All gifts must be exchanged after some time.
The social function of this complex, none-profit exchange trade is to strengthen the social bonds between the islanders.
The object Necklace “soulava” with the object ID 3048002 was last part of the auction 96th Auction at April 24, 2021 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 42 achieved a sales price of EUR 400.
Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.
Comparing literature
Roger Neich & Fuli Pereira, Pacific Jewelry and Adornment, o.O. 2004, p. 81