Solomon Islands Ancient Shell Wealth Ring Western Solomon Islands

This massive heavy Shell Wealth Ring is from the Western Solomon Islands. These large heavy Shell Rings are made from fossilised Giant Clam Shell or Tridacna Gigas , No living animal is harmed as these are made from ancient fossilised Clam Shells that are part of the marine environment. These largest Rings were the most important; they were clan heirlooms and were basically Land Title Deeds for specific areas that were know to all their neighbours.  These Shell Wealth Rings were used for Chiefs bride wealth payments, to purchase pigs, land and maritime rights, for compensations, and as grave ornaments and for ritual appeasement.  They also had ceremonial uses and could transfer ancestral power from owner to owner.   This Shell Ring is a superb example its in very good condition and is likely several hundred years old.  Old Shell Rings like this are rare, they were not sold or gifted without genuine compensation.  New Shell Rings are now made to sell to tourist and collectors but they don’t have the same look or feeling antiquity.

Provenance:  Purchased from the Tryell Curio Shop in Sydney Australia in the 1930’s

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