A Superb Ancient Solomon Islands Shell Wealth Ring Western Solomon Islands

A Superb Ancient Solomon Islands Shell Wealth Ring Western Solomon Islands

This massive heavy Shell Wealth Ring is from the Western Solomon Islands. These large heavy Shell Rings are made from fossilized Giant Clam Shell or Tridacna Gigas , No living animal is harmed as these are made from ancient fossilized Clam Shells that are part of the marine environment.

These largest Rings were the most important; they were clan heirlooms and were basically Land Title Deeds for specific areas that were known to all their neighbors.  These Shell Wealth Rings were used for Chiefs’ bridewealth payments, to purchase pigs, land, and maritime rights, for compensations, as grave ornaments, and for ritual appeasement.  They also had ceremonial uses and could transfer ancestral power from owner to owner.   This Shell Ring is a superb example it’s in very good condition and is likely several hundred years old.

Old Shell Rings like this are rare, they were not sold or gifted without genuine compensation.  New Shell Rings are now made to sell to tourists and collectors but they don’t have the same look or feeling of antiquity as they are made quickly with power tools.

Provenance: The Todd Barlin Collection of New Guinea Oceanic Art 

I first went to Papua New Guinea in 1985 for an adventure & what I found was that I really enjoyed being with the people of New Guinea, over the next 38 years I spent extensive time spent collecting and documenting traditional art & ceremonies in remote areas of Papua New Guinea & West Papua, The Solomon Islands & Vanuatu & the other Pacific Islands countries. During these travels, I made major collections of New Guinea & Oceanic Art for major Museums and Public Art Galleries

I was honoured by being in the prestigious Louvre Museum Magazine for the collections I made for The Museum of African & Oceanic Art Paris in 1996 (now the Musee Quai Branly) for the exhibition “Asmat et Mimika d’ Irian Jaya April 1996 At THE MUSEE NATIONAL des ARTS D’AFRIQUE et d’ OCEANIE, Paris

See all of the links & photos in my new EXHIBITIONS GALLERY and there is the link to the article in the prestigious Louvre Magazine 1996

I have artwork for Museums & Art Galleries but also for collectors at every stage of their collecting. I want to encourage people to explore the fine art of New Guinea & West Papua and the Pacific Islands and to be able to see and touch the artworks in a relaxed and friendly manner in my Sydney Gallery.  I would like to invite you to visit my gallery and see the artworks in person and also look at my website www.oceanicartsaustralia.com  where there are many Galleries & Sub Galleries to explore.

My Gallery of nearly 40 years is the last physical gallery in Sydney that specialises in New Guinea & Oceanic Art. Sydney is just a couple hours’ flight to New Guinea & the Pacific Islands where all of these amazing artworks came from, Australia’s closest neighbours.

INQUIRE HERE

If you have a similar “object” for sale please contact me for the best price and honest advice by a Government approved valuer 

To see many more rare items and the finest masterpieces, please make an appointment with us to visit the gallery.

For all inquiries, please contact us.