Shell currency ring "wamayuwa" · Papua New Guinea, East Sepik - Yangoru Boiken · ID: 3043397
not available anymore
Size
H: 23 cm
B: 20 cm
H: 9.1 inch
B: 7.9 inch
Description
giant clam, polished, yellowish patina, central opening: 8,3 cm in diameter, thickness: 3,8 cm.
Cut with bamboo saws from giant clam shells that are traded in from the coast. Such shell rings are used for currency for all major transactions: bride price, compensation, land payments.
Comparing literature
Hamson, Michael, Art of the Boiken, Palos Verdes 2011, p. 226 ff.