Enquiry about object: 10138
New Guinea Clam Shell Nose ‘Bone’ Ornament
New Guinea early 20th century
length: 9.4cm, thickness: 1.1cm, weight: 37g
Provenance
UK art market
This long, thin nose pin is from the Highlands of New Guinea. It tapers and has pointed ends. It is carved from clam shell (Tridacna). Items made from clam shell were seen as unusual and luxury goods items in the Highlands which were far from the sea, particularly given the difficult terrain.
Nose adornments such as this example whereby the pin is inserted through a piercing in the cartilage septum in the nose were worn in many cultures across the island of New Guinea, adjacent islands, and Oceania. They were made of bone, wood or clam shell, fossilised clam shell, pearl shell or turtle shell.
The shell used in the pin has some gentle brown mottling giving it a more pleasing texture and appearance.
It is in excellent condition.
Above: An Astrolabe Bay man with a nose ‘bone’ ornament, late 19th century.
References
Grulke, W., Adorned by Nature: Adornment, Exchange & Myth in the South Seas, At One Communications, 2022.
Neich, R., & F. Pereira, Pacific Jewelry and Adornment, University of Hawai’i Press, 2004.
Peltier, P. & F. Morin, Shadows of New Guinea: Art from the Great Island of Oceania in the Barbier-Mueller Collections, Somogy, 2007.
