Breast Ornament
Early 20th century
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Breast Ornament
Early 20th century
Physical Qualities
Eggshell cowrie shell, nassa shell, fiber, fiber from Karkar, H. 6 in. (15.3 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
Object Number
1955.251.116b
Group object label BMA 1976.76.32, BMA 1955. 251.116a, BMA 1955.251.116b, 1955.251.31 (physical label copy in 1976.76.32):
Dog teeth, boar tusks, eggshell cowrie, and nassa shells not only formed important ornaments, but were also valuable items of trade among Melanesian communities. Many such ornaments indicated the wealth and status of the wearer and could be worn in battle, ceremony, and dance. (Photo: Bukaua man of the Huon Gulf dressed for a ceremony following his initiation to adulthood.)
Photo:
R. Neuhauss, reprinted in Les Arts Indigenes en Nouvelle-Guinee, by Stephen Chauvet, 1930-author unknown label copy from December 1991
Ornament
Oceanic, Papua New Guinea, Huon Gulf
(early 20th century)
Eggshell cowrie, nassa shells, fibers
The Baltimore Museum of Art:
Gift of Alan Wurtzburger
BMA 1955.251.116b
The Baltimore Museum of Art by gift, 1955; Alan Wurtzburger
"The Alan Wurtzburger Collection of Oceanic Art", January 7th-March 4th 1956, Baltimore Museum of Art
African, Oceanic, and Pre-Columbian Art”, October 1st 1972-July 16th 1973, Maryland Arts Council
African, Oceanic, and Pre-Columbian Art”, October 1st 1972-July 16th 1973, Maryland Arts Council
Douglas F. Fraser & Paul S. Wingret, "The Wurtzburger Collection of Oceanic Art" , BMA 1956 pg 33. cat no 116.
