Shell Tribal Art

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 ...

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...

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...

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

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

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 ...

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...

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 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...

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...

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 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...

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...

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...

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.

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 ...

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...

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...

Doll by Emma Amiotte, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S. Dakota A "No Face Doll" by the artist Emma Amiotte, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, part of the Oglala Lakota Nation, who...

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

Doll by Emma Amiotte, Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, S. Dakota A wonderful "No Face Doll", probably made by Emma Amiotte. The green wool dress is adorned with small glass beads on t...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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, ...

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...

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...