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Mendi Shell Currency Necklace

Mendi Shell Currency Necklace

Regular price €385,00
Regular price Sale price €385,00
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Mendi people, late 19th or early 20th century, Mendi Valley Area, Southern Highlands Province, Papua New Guinea. 

Charming aged necklace with three cut and finely polished Conus shells. Shells in general were highly valuated as traditional wealth in all parts of Papua New Guinea but especially in the Highland region. They had to travel through trading from coast to where they were collected to hundreds of kilometers through highly rugged terrains. Because Highland peoples had no concept of the sea and shells were so hard to acquire, they were considered unusual and precious. Most shell ornaments made in New Guinea were used as an adornment during sacred ceremonies, but also an important type of traditional wealth and currency that was used to pay for bridal dowries, land disputes, or given as a sign of respect during funerals of important clan leaders both men and women.

"Mendi" refers to the people of the Mendi valley. They inhabit a narrow valley area in the Southern Highlands of Papua New Guinea. The Mendi were first contacted by the Australian Administration in 1950. In precolonial times, Mendi had no collective name for themselves. They live in dispersed homesteads within clan territories, and their fences separating community footpaths and clearings from garden areas. Each area (su) is associated with an individual clan (or subclan) section, and is socially centered around a clearing (koma) where meetings and collective events are held. The groups are patrilineal and are organized in kinship and descent formation.

Delicate necklace are in good condition. Shells are smoothed from wearing and handling over many years and generations. Age-related wear and chip. Length c. 60,0cm and shells approx. 5,3cm x 5,4cm x 3,2cm. 

Provenance: Finnish private collection

References and further reading:

Mende Culture and Tradition: a Recent Survey, Theodore Mawe, P.N.G. National Museum Record, no. 10. Boroko, Papua New Guinea: Institute of Papua New Guinea Studies, 1985.

Mendi, Encyclopedia of World Cultures, Encyclopedia.com. 

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  • Shipping

    The shipment will be prepared in the course of 3-5 days and dispatched via Posti Group Oyj or purchased item(s) can be picked up from our shop during the store's opening hours (Tarkk’ampujankatu 4, 00140, Helsinki, Finland). Within the Finland, all items are shipped via Posti Group Oyj unless otherwise requested. We pack the items carefully and mainly in recycled materials because we want to save nature. You will receive the tracking number for your items by e-mail.

  • Returns

    Returns and exchange will be accepted within fourteen days (14) of receipt at the purchaser’s cost to include freight and packaging. Items must be returned in the same condition as when they were shipped, and will not be accepted if damaged or altered in any way. Please inform us via email (info@gotanmaailma.fi) or by calling +358408408352 before sending. We do not accept returns more than 14 days after delivery.