Traditional shell jewellery of the Pacific Islands
There is a huge variety of traditional shell jewellery from numerous different Pacific cultures. Traditional shell jewellery was originally made using neolithic tools. Many of these gems made with sharks teeth and obsidian. The materials were those found in nature such as shells, teeth, bone, bush fiber, feathers, stone, wood and turtle shell.
The aim of the article is to look at some of the vast variety of traditional shell jewellery. I have included lots of images to help the reader identify specific pieces of traditional shell jewellery.
I Buy and Sell traditional shell jewellery. If you have a piece you would like to sell please send me an image. If you have a piece of traditional shell jewelleryand just want to know more about it or find out what it is worth feel free to send me an email.
Traditional shell jewellery general
With experience, it is possible to identify pieces of traditional shell
The value of traditional shell
The condition is extremely important because restoration is often nearly impossible. Polynesian Jewellery tends to be more valuable than New Guinea Adornments.
As it would take a very thick book to cover all the traditional shell
Great book on Traditional Pacific Island Jewelry is Pacific Jewellery and adornment
Examples of traditional shell jewellery
Tongan Breastplate made from black pearlshell and marine ivory
Torres Strait Island Conus shell Armband
Solomon island pendant made of incised Clam shell
Imitation pig tooth made fro Clam shell Papua New Guinea
Bakiha breast adornment made of a circle of giant clam shell and decorated with beads and dolphin teeth
Micronesian Armband made of cone shell
Massim Kula necklace Used as a currency and made of spndylus shell disks and pearll shell.
Pectoral adornment made of pearl shell and turtle shell filigree.
Cook island hat band made from shells
Sepik Bridal cap made from Nassa shells and Conus shells on a Bush string frame
Solomon island shell currency necklaces
Trochus shell armbands from West New Britain
Sepik Necklace made of bailer shell segment and conus shell disks
Marquesan headband made of pearl shell turtle shell and feathers
Solomon island armbands made of shell disks on a fiber backing.
Aboriginal pearl shell pubic cover
Traditional Shell Jewellery
Due to the sheer volume of material I have other articles that cover this subject with different images. They include New Guinea adornment New Guinea jewelry and Traditional Pacific Island jewelry.
If you cant find the piece you want to be identified feel free to contact me. Chances are I will be able to help.
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All images in this article are for educational purposes only.
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