Kapkap, 19th century, Unknown Solomon Islands, 3 5/8 in. (9.21 cm), Clam shell, tortoise shell, Papua New Guinea, 19th century, The brown, lace-like discs attached to the white clam shells of these ornaments are made of tortoiseshell. When boiled, tortoiseshell becomes pliable and can be cut into patterns. The marble-like shell of the giant clam is a technically challenging medium, nearly as hard as stone. The art of working it reached a peak on the Solomon Islands in Oceania. The ornaments, called kapkap, were used as exchange goods throughout the region, and are still worn today at festivals, signifying personal wealth and status.
Keywords:
Kapkap, 19th century, Unknown Solomon Islands, 3 5/8, 9.21 cm, Clam shell, tortoise shell, Papua New Guinea, 19th century, brown, lace- discs attached, white clam shells, ornaments, tortoiseshell, boiled, tortoiseshell becomes pliable, cut, patterns, marble- shell, giant clam, technically challenging medium, nearly, hard, stone, art, working, reached, peak, Solomon Islands, Oceania, ornaments, kapkap, exchange goods, region, worn today, festivals, signifying personal wealth, status
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