Three shell ornaments ·  Solomon Islands · ID: 3033700

Description

Nautilus shell, each of them crescent-shaped, the biggest pectoral, b: 18 cm, attached to a string with shell beads, presumably Uki Island; one pectoral decorated with a separate worked frigate bird made of tortoise shell, on a string with multicoloured shell beads, b: 13 cm; additional: small pendant with open-work design on the upper rim and eyelet for attachment, b: 12 cm;
the nautilus shell crescent disc was known as “tafibono” and was worn by men on festive occasions.

The object Three shell ornaments with the object ID 3033700 was last part of the auction 71st tribal art auction at November 24, 2012 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 83.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about Oceanian art.

Comparing literature

D. Waite & Kevin Conru, Solomon Island Art, Italy 2008, ill. 106 a-c Heermann, Ingrid, Menter, Ulrich, Schmuck der Südsee, München 1990, p. 28, ill. 19