Oceanic Artifact Listing: PRT55

Tema

Extremely handsome traditional decorative emblem made of shell for men. Used on the chest or back, occasionally on the forehead.

Size: 16cm in diameter.

Solomon Island Tema and Manus Island Dala Breast Pieces Tridacna clam shells overlaid with turtleshell are utilized to make these. Shell disk ornaments overlaid with filigree turtleshell are typical of the Solomon Islands and surrounding island groups. The intricate overlay designs are cut by hand. Known as kapkaps, they are worn westward to New Ireland and on into the Papuan Gulf in PNG. The Santa Cruz Tema kapkap is a full-moon style breast ornament worn at dances. The overlay motif represents the stark outline of a diving frigate bird, but other interpretations also exist. Diving frigate birds are significant to island fishermen as they show them where schools of bonito are. Dala kapkaps, such as this one from Manus Island, are still worn as head or breast ornaments on Malaita and Guadalcanal. Manus, a volcanic island 200 miles north of PNG in the southwestern Pacific, measures 50 by 20 miles and is also known as Great Admiralty Island.

Circa: 1945 - 60

$640.00   Buy It Now
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