19th Century Papua New Guinea Kina Currency Shell

This is a Beautiful 19th century Kina Shell Necklace from the Melpa Tribe in the Western Highlands, Papua New Guinea. These Kina shells were used as currency. They were used When the New Guinean government had no money, this piece, the Kina shell was used as a substitute. Kinas are rare treasures from Papua New Guinea and a sign of wealth and prosperity. They can be used for bride price, feud paybacks and exchange festivals as well as for admissions to men’s clubs and secret societies. They were worn by men and women either alone or in multiples for special celebrations when men would wear a Kina shell pectoral as the focal point of their dress. Such decorated pieces are even more valued inland and in the Highlands of Papua where shells are not available in nature. This Kina shell has slight chipping to the edge and surface hairline cracks, also minor Mark's to it. None of this affects these piece of tribal cultural history. The Kina shell is strung up with some early string.

Measurements: Height 12.9cm, Width 16.8cm, Depth 1.6cm