| Description |
Pectoral ornament comprising a small bundle of bamboo rods with a small unmodified conch shell secured at each end; The bundle of rods, itself, is completely covered with a woven panel that extends above the rods in a U-shaped panel and below in two series of overlapping flat fringes that are painted alternately in dark blue or red; Suspended from the bottom-most row of fringes are four small woven heart-shaped pendants, also painted dark blue or red; Each panel, fringe, and pendant section is outlined in a row of white Nassa shells; Woven strap is attached on either side on reverse, upper portion of ornament and is augmented with single plied strand of cordage to form loop so ornament can be worn around one’s neck; Ornaments of this type are held in the teeth as battle ornaments by Big Men, and also worn during marriage transactions. |
