Dogs Teeth Head Band Huon Gulf 52

Head Band Ornament, Huon Gulf, Papua New Guinea 1952

These head ornaments of nassa shell and dogs teeth are some of the valuables that circulated in the regional trading system of the Huon Gulf, linking the mainland with the smaller islands.  This example includes some porcelain dogs teeth which were introduced by the Germans for a short period in 1914 as a wealth item.  Canoe traders from Tami and Siassi and Bilibili carried specialised products around the trade system, including ornaments of boars tusks and dogs teeth that later became valuables used in bridewealth payments.  Collected by a Lutheran Missionary near Madang in 1952-3

$390.00 AUD