Description:

Oceania, Melanesia, Solomon Islands, New Georgia, ca. late 19th to early 20th century CE. Four large tridacna clamshell ornaments displayed one above the other, each one carved in the general shape of a hand with scalloped 'fingers' at the upper wider end and openwork below in order to tie to a stick, the smallest positioned at the bottom of the stand also presents an incised eye-like form above the opening below. As such, these were intended to serve as funerary emblems. A lovely ensemble carved form clamshells of beautiful champagne pink and creamy white hues. Size: largest (top) shell measures 4" W x 3.375" H (10.2 cm x 8.6 cm); 15.375" H (39.1 cm) on included custom stand.

See a similar example at the Musee du quai Branly, Paris, France that was exhibited in "The Radiance of Shadows: Art in Black and White from the Solomon Islands" (2014-2015).

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex Norman Hurst collection, Cambridge; ex Aguttes Paris April 2017, lot 626

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#153883

  • Condition: Losses to peripheries of shell ornaments as shown. Shells have darkened a bit with age. Scattered areas of deposits. Expected surface wear with scuffs and abrasions. A few stains from former labels on versos. Still present as beautiful forms.

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May 21, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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