Full details of each lot are displayed, except the lot number, estimate and price. You must be a subscriber to view lot numbers, estimates and prices.
A collection of twenty old glass earrings from Geelvink Bay,…
Sale Title:
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
8-May-2016
Lot No.
***
Description:
A collection of twenty old glass earrings from Geelvink Bay, [20], these glass earrings were collected on the Waropen Coast & Geelvink Bay along the north Coast of West Papua during several trips there in 1985-86. Called 'dimbo' in the local Warpoen language, they were an important type of traditional wealth used for bride price payments & other types of compensation payments. As the Papuan's had no glass technology they were obtained from Malay Traders & the Sultan of Tidore in exchange for bird of paradiseSkins native to the island of New Guinea, the feathers were highly sought throughout SE Asia, china & as far as Europe. Some of these glass earrings are of great antiquity & are certainly based on the glass tear drop shaped ornaments from the 'Dong song' bronze age culture of Vietnam (1000 BC to 1 BC). Trade between Malay traders & Melanesian's had been going on for centuries as evident in the trade goods they left behind, ancient glass items like these earrings, glass beads, bangles & earrings & bronze age axes, kettle drums & ceramics. For further information of this trade, see the book 'Plumes from Paradise' by Dr Pamela Swadling. Provenance: Todd Barlin collection. 3 cm to 6 cm
Estimate:
***
Price:
***
Category:
Unclassified