A Superb Old New Guinea Shell Ornament Yangoru Boiken Area East Sepik Papua New Guinea

This beautiful old shell ornament is from the Yangoru Boiken people in the East Sepik Province of Papua New Guinea , this type of ornament is often called a Kap Kap this is a pidgin English word or term for an ornament that is made with a white shell base and a cut out turtle shell design as an overlay. In this case the cut out is a lizard which is a common motif for these ornaments.  Worn in the hair or as a pendant during ceremonies and it is also a type of traditional wealth objects that are used in bridal dowries paid by a young mans family.

This example also has a very fine cane chain from the centre of the Kap Kap & leading to a very old dangling boars tusk as see in the photo.

Provenance:  Collected by Peter Hallinan (1938-2015).  Peter was a very well liked and respected expert on New Guinea art and made 40- 50 trips over the late 1960’s and 1970’s.