Shell Tribal Art

20th Century Tribal Kina Shell Pectoral Necklace by unknown jeweler Kina shells were traditionally worn in the western highlands of Papua New Guinea as pectorals, either with a fibe...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Large cone shells in concentric rows, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macrame base, which has been hand-knotted around a sem...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sexe were worn for celebrations, rit...

Papua New Guinea: Talipun, Boiken, Sepik River Region  Northern Papua New Guinea, 20th Century  A fine example of the rich cultural heritage of Papua New ...

We kindly invite you to read the full description below, as it contains detailed technical and historical information to ensure the authenticity and value of our pieces. An original ...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Four rows of large polished white cowrie shells in two sizes, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macramé base, which has been ha...

Late 19th-early 20th Bailer shell pectoral, Highlands, possibly Mendi People, Papua New Guinea These large shell pectorals were worn ceremonially by men and women in Papua New Guine...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sex modesty apron (Pikuran), Mandara Mountains, Cameroon These colorful cache-sex were worn for celebrations, rituals...

This handcrafted birchwood totem offers a stylized depiction of an inuit man. The facial features, consistent with native carving of this region, recall the style of Japanese kabuki masks...

This piece is an excellent example of an adornment used by Abelam warriors to frighten their enemies. They are held in a warrior’s mouth for courage and to intimidate their adversary...

This intricately-constructed colorful train was painstakingly created by Yoruba artisans in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Recent designs such as this were based upon sashes that s...

Bamileke headdress, originating from the Bamileke ethnic group in Cameroon, is ceremonial and symbolic artifacts used in traditional ceremonies and rituals. It is crafted using natur...

Mid-20th century tribal beaded cache-sexe modesty apron (pikuran), Bana Guili people, Mandara Mountains, Cameroon An unusual cache-sexe made of blue and yellow beads so scattered ...

In Kuba society, title holding is dominated by men; there are only two titles held by women. Headdresses were and are the most visible expression of o...

This petite cone-shaped cap, known as laket, was created by an artisan of the Kuba peoples of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The base is made of a simple woven raffia fabric, ...

Probably Papua New Guinea, or Borneo, Dayak, late 19th/early 20th century H. approx. 12 cm (incl. stand, each) Provenance: Private collection, Flanders

3 Mid-Century modern pre-columbian style Aztec masks made with various tesselated semi-precious stone (lapis,onyx, quartz, mother-of-pearl) (PRICED EACH)

Pair of male and female African figures made of carved wood with capes made of sea shells. Each figure stands 11 1/2" tall x 6 1/2" wide.

Papua New Guinea, Central Highlands, Huli people, 1st half 20th century Crafted from the wearer’s own hair and adorned with colorful bird-of-paradise feathers, flowers, scarab beetl...

A set of 2 Yua Rings in Shell from Papua New Guinea, beautiful decorated with fibres and small shells and elegant decorations, the shell rings are hand made ...

An elegant pair of Necklaces from Papua New Guinea, made of Mother of Pearl Shell, good, old patina and shine of the shells, nice decorations with small shells and fibres, nice colle...

This belt is a traditional ceremonial men's ornament, knotted from a strong heavy handmade cord and showing a dark patina vegetable dye. Two rows of cowries are used to cover the su...

Exceptional necklace from Papua New Guinea, made out of 5 pieces of Shell, made of fibres and small shells, used for ceremonies, very decorative object

Beautiful set of 3 Bracelets from Papua New Guinea made out of the Tridacna Gigas Shell, these bracelets were hand sawn and decorated with refined notching,...

An exceptional Voodoo Objet fro Africa, Uganda ,Buganda Kingdom, the object is decorated with Shells, Beads, Fiber,seeds and iron, a Royal fetish used by higher Royalty, ex-collecti...

Exceptional set of 3 You Rings from Papua New Guinea decorated with shells and cords, used as exchange objects made of the Tridacna Gigas Shell, ...

Nagaland, North-east India, early 20th century Probably made from dogteeth.

Pair of Bracelets in Tridacna Gigas Shell, Oceanie, Collection of Dutch Monks, Pater Maristen, great, good old patina, very decorative pair of ob...

A very exceptional bridal money as well in shape as in dimensions.

Vintage Turkman Bridal Ceremonial Headdress, Heavily Adorned on Stand Offered for sale is a vintage bridal ceremonial headdress, specifically known as gupbo. Adorned with cowrie sh...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Large Money Cowrie shells (used in earlier times as currency) seamlessly sewn in concentric rows onto a white cotton macra...

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7.5 x 8.5 in / 19 x 22 cm Height on c...

Yua Shell Currency, Bride’s Price Sepik River Region, Papua New Guinea Hand carved from a clam shell Measures: 7 x 7.5 in / 18 x 19 cm Height on cus...

A male necklace from the Asmat Village, Papua New Guinea. Two rows of large polished shells in concentric rows, seamlessly sewn onto a cotton macramé base, which has been hand-knott...

The highly decorative bib beaded necklaces are treated as works of art displayed on their black metal stands as sculptural works of art. Near the necks are bent poles wrapped with tw...

Early 20th Century Wood and Shell Scoop, Solomon Islands A small scoop in the shape of a whale, with three rows of inlaid notched shell triangles and three circular shell eyes. Nice...

Ifugao, Northern Philippines, 19th century Decorated with different kinds of beadwork and the bill of a Kalaw bird (hornbill). Historically, only those who had proven themselves th...

Sold as a collection each of these medicine containers displays their own distinctive characteristics. One of the gourd containers features a carved wooden stopper depicting a male h...

Objects crafted from the shell of the giant Tridacna clam, also known as the fossilized giant clam, held great value among numerous Melanesian peoples. The artistry of working with f...

This intricately-constructed colorful train was painstakingly created by Yoruba artisans in Nigeria in the mid-20th century. Recent designs such as this were based upon...

A double shell Amulet from Papua New Guinea, good old patina and wear of the shell, decorated with shells and teeth,fibres very decorative item with a lot of character

The arrangement of these antique shells, meticulously strung together, creates a harmonious symphony of textures and tones. Their timeless elegance and natural radiance make this nec...

Traditionally worn as a symbol of rank and title, this beautiful Kuba chieftain's cap (laket mishiing) is embellished with cowrie shells and rows of blue, white and black glass beads. The body of the hat has been fashioned from raffia fibre using the woven basketry technique, and displays the typical form of the Kuba 'laket' cap, with four scallop-shaped 'ears'. When worn, one of the 'ears' would have been squarely positioned at the front of the wearer's forehead. Given to Kuba men upon completion of an initiation rite, small dome-shaped raffia hats signalled their transformation into mature members of Kuba society. As a Kuba man moved up the social ladder, his headgear would change, with male titleholders commissioning local artisans to produce splendidly decorated prestige hats to signal his rank. The accumulation of materials on a Kuba man’s hat...

A remarkable Ceremonial Object from Papua New Guinea, made of small shells mounted on fabric, very decorative item, used for ceremonies, good patina and shine of the object, nice obj...

Beautiful pendant made out of 3 different Shell species, from Papua-New-Guinea from the 1960 ies, the shells have a good and old patina and shine, the pendant was used during ceremon...

Ao tribe, Nagaland, Eastern India, Early 20th century Made from red glass paste beads and bronze trumpets and bells. The Ao tribe primarily inhabits the Mokokchung district of Naga...

Exceptional amulet - necklace from Papua New Guinea, made out of different sorts off shells and fabric, good, old patina and shine of the object, powerful and decorative object

An exceptional set of 3 Shell objects from Papua New Guinea, made as ornaments used in the hair or as decoration of the body, decorated with hand carved figures made out of coconut o...

A beautiful Necklace made out of Shell from Papua New Guinea, decorated with a long chain of seeds and a metal coin, great old and used patina of the shell, very decorative object

An exceptional Voodoo Objet fro Africa, Uganda ,Buganda Kingdom, the object is decorated with Shells, Beads, Fiber,seeds and iron, a Royal fetish used by higher Royalty, ex-collecti...

Exceptional Tribal object from Papua New Guinea, handcut from around 1960, made out of Shell and decorated with Shell and Coconut and woven Textiles, this object is special because i...

Bobo people, Burkina Faso/Mali, Early 20th century The top, made in a vest-like form, consists of a base made out of cotton with an outer decorated layer of cowrie shells. Provenan...

Iatmul, Papua New Guinea, 20th century This ceremonial headdress is traditionally worn by a young bride as she enters her new husband’s home for the first time. Adorned with shells—...

Asmat, Papua Province, Indonesia, Late 19th century Made from a long piece of Cuscus fur decorated on the sides with shell beads and strings of natural fiber. Provenance: - Collec...

Melanesia, Southwestern Pacific Ocean, 19th century Some very rare Melanesian armbands made of woven palm fibers and tiny shells, dating from the 19th century (at least). This typ...

Mbukushu / Kavango Group, Botswana/Namibia/Angola, Early 20th century An exquisite and old example of a Mbukushu braided wig headdress, featuring a leather or hide base that has na...