Boar Tusk Neck Ornament
Papuan
Papua New Guinea
Last half of the 20th century
Tusk, fiber, seed
Height: 16 1/8" (41cm)
Width: 6 7/8" (17.5cm)
Collection Date: 200
Collection Number: 141

Ex. Rick Stroud (RSWORD): Raleigh, North Carolina (2020)

A Papuan boars tusk neck ornament. These necklaces were used as a symbol of wealth for enhancing one's social status and prestige. They were also worn or traded during ceremonies, bridal cowrie, or compensation for different types of disputes, obligations, or trade.

The ornament is composed of two opposing boar tusks secured by brown plaited fiber. The necklace is strung in a design of an alternating single and double pattern of grass trade seeds. Likely from around the 1970s or shortly after.

Photograph 10: Eastern Highlands Cultural show, Goroka, Papua New Guinea. September 23, 1978.

[1] https://www.oceanicartsaustralia.com/art-for-sale/clamshell-boars-tusk-shaped-ornament-papuan-gulf/

[2] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc1995-06-25

[3] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc1995-06-27

[4] https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Oc1995-06-23

[5] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/311279

[6] https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/311821

[7] https://prm.ox.ac.uk/collections-online#/item/prm-object-109114