Pectoral, Papua New Guinea
Huon Peninsula, Morobe Province, Eastern PNG
Dog Teeth, German Porcelain Dog Teeth, Natural Fiber, Cowrie Shells, Wood
Early 20th Century
14.5 x 5.5 x 1.5 in. / 37 x 14 x 2.5 cm
Look closely at this pectoral to see if you can spot the dog teeth made from porcelain. When the colonials arrived in Papua New Guinea and wanted to hire the locals, their money held no value. Upon their return to Germany, the resourceful Germans manufactured porcelain versions of the local currencies – shells and dog teeth. They were widely accepted in Papua New Guinea society for their consistent form and used as “the real thing” as seen in this piece. Losses and repairs.
SOLD
