Description:

Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. 19th to mid-20th century CE. A trio of woven vegetal fiber and cloth necklaces: 2 featuring dozens of highly-polished canine teeth and 1 comprised of kina and cowrie shells. All 3 adornments denoted social rank, sanctity, and wealth of the people who wore them. European colonizers saw how important these dog teeth were and produced glass and porcelain teeth to trade, which were accepted by the indigenous people and incorporated into their ornaments, often mixed with real teeth. Size of largest dog tooth: 1.5" L x 0.3" W (3.8 cm x 0.8 cm); of largest shell: 8.5" L x 1.7" W (21.6 cm x 4.3 cm); of longest strand (dog tooth and snail shell): 39" L (99.1 cm)

Provenance: private Constance McCormick Fearing estate, Montecito, California, USA, acquired before 2004

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#181297

  • Condition: Areas of loss to some teeth. Nicks chips and abrasions to teeth and shells, and some light fraying to cloth and vegetal fiber. Shell necklace is broken at end inhibiting wear, but other 2 are wearable. Light patina throughout.

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September 14, 2023 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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