Antique 1880s-1920s Papua New Guinea Shell Currency Necklace Lot Kula Conus Naga
Up for auction is a museum-quality lot of three (3) highly important primitive shell money (Oceanic currency) necklaces, originally sourced from traditional tribal exchange networks in Papua New Guinea and the Indo-Pacific region.
This exceptional collector's lot includes:
- Top Strand (Large Conus Shell Disc Belt/Necklace): Composed of beautifully ground, heavy flat Conus snail shell tops intricately braided onto a thick natural fiber rope.
- Middle Strand (Kualia / Conus Shell Ring): A complete ceremonial currency ring featuring vertical-sliced Conus shells. Notably, this piece retains a highly valuable antique hand-written collector's label that reads: "CONUS SHELL MONETARY VALUES HIGH. 2 SHELLS FOR ONE SLAVE. 16th c", proving its immense historical prestige as a high-denomination currency.
- Bottom Strand & Extension (Naga Conch Shell / Ritual Rattle): A long twisted fiber cord holding 6 extra-large, hollowed-out Naga conch shell sections used as ritual rattles/wealth status, paired with a matching 12" extension/accent strand of flat shell discs.
Specifications (Size & Weight)
-
Top Strand (Flat Conus Discs):
- Total Length: Approx. 28" (71.1 cm)
- Weight: 15 oz (425 g)
- Shell Diameter: 1.5" ~ 2" (3.8 ~ 5.1 cm)
-
Middle Ring Strand (with Antique Label):
- Total Length: Approx. 24" (61 cm)
- Weight: 13 oz (368.5 g)
- Shell Diameter: 1" ~ 1.25" (2.5 ~ 3.2 cm)
-
Bottom Right Strand (Large Conch Bells):
- Total Length: Approx. 37" (94 cm)
- Weight: 9.5 oz (269.3 g)
- Shell Dimensions: 1.5" x 1.5" ~ 2" x 2.75" (3.8x3.8 cm ~ 5.1x7 cm)
-
Bottom Left Strand (Extension/Accent):
- Total Length (including cord): Approx. 12" (30.5 cm)
- Weight: 1.7 oz (48.2 g)
- Shell Diameter: 1" ~ 1.25" (2.5 ~ 3.2 cm)
Material
- Authentic Marine Slices (Conus / Cone Snail shells, Naga Conch/Chank shells).
- Hand-twisted and braided indigenous organic plant fiber cordage.
- Original antique paper tag with iron-gall/vintage ink.
Condition
- Genuine Antique/Vintage Condition.
- The shells show beautiful, authentic signs of tribal use, age-earned patination, natural pitting, and minor organic weathering.
- One of the large conch pieces on the bottom strand shows a stable, historic hairline crack/slight chip at the rim (visible in close-up photos), which is completely consistent with authentic primitive currency of this age.
- The fiber cords remain remarkably strong, intact, and structurally sound.
- The antique paper label is delicate and aged but entirely legible.
Antique 1880s-1920s Papua New Guinea Shell Currency Necklace Lot Kula Conus Naga
Sale price$600.00
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