Oceania, Papua New Guinea, Sepik River region, ca. 19th century CE. A massive triangular pectoral or loincloth made from finely woven fibers and cascading tiers of dog teeth, each highly polished and turned so that its tip points outward - a lovely example of a prestigious ornament worn in traditional Papuan and other Oceanic societies. The woven fiber creates a thick, grey-brown backing attached to a thin piece of wood at the top to make it easier to wear. Imagine how each individual tooth would have caught the light when shaken, and the slight clacking noise that all the teeth would have made as the wearer moved. Dog teeth ornaments like this one signified the social rank, sanctity, and wealth of the people who wore them. Size: 6.9" W x 10.45" H (17.5 cm x 26.5 cm); 12" H (30.5 cm) on included custom stand.
Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection; ex-Michael Evans collection, New Zealand, 2008
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#154574
Condition
Some small frays to the fibers but overall in very nice condition. The wooden upper attachment has nice patina as do the dog teeth. Some of the dog teeth have small losses but that is likely from the life of the dog rather than when it became a necklace!