Ornament

Item number 3326/53 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

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Description

Chest ornament composed of woven rattan. Inserted through a tube-like pocket near the top is a wood crosspiece with two large cowrie shells attached on either side. The lappet consists of a long woven strip with scalloped edges, that tapers towards the bottom, with three smaller strips layered overtop at the tip. Above the crosspiece is a small rectangular section of weaving. A long plaited cord is attached to the crosspiece at either side. The weaving is outlined and decorated in single or double rows of small white shells.

Narrative

Collected by Jack Lieber in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 - June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.