Skip to main content
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 4

Very rare Melanesian armbands made of woven palm fibers and tiny shells

$3,984.27
£2,969.75
€3,360
CA$5,467.56
A$6,122.20
CHF 3,194.26
MX$74,594.55
NOK 40,532.88
SEK 38,535.98
DKK 25,581.79
Shipping
Retrieving quote...
The 1stDibs Promise:
Authenticity Guarantee,
Money-Back Guarantee,
24-Hour Cancellation

About the Item

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 type of body decoration was only reserved for the Solomon Islands higher ranking warriors and chiefs - and it’s rare the set is still intact.
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 8.27 in (21 cm)Width: 5.71 in (14.5 cm)Depth: 0.08 in (2 mm)
  • Materials and Techniques:
    Natural Fiber,Shell,Beaded,Hand-Woven
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    19th century
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use.
  • Seller Location:
    Amsterdam, NL
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU5458242079662

More From This Seller

View All
A delicate tortoiseshell 'armband' from the Lower Sepik River Province
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Sepik River Province, Papua New Guinea, probably late 19th century Tortoiseshell bracelets are frequently more than just ornaments in Sepik River civilizations; they are representat...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art

Materials

Tortoise Shell

A monkeytooth bracelet from the Philippines
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Philippines, late 19th/early 20th century Provenance: Sammlung Rinck-Hollnberger, Munich (purchased the 1980s-1990s)
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Philippine Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber, Teeth

A Bobo ceremonial top decorated with cowrie shells
Located in Amsterdam, NL
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...
Category

Early 20th Century Burkinabe Tribal Art

Materials

Shell, Cotton

A male ceremonial armband made with bat-teeth
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Papua New Guinea, late 19th/early 20th century Male ceremonial 'armband' made of bat teeth drilled and tied in a double row to a woven band of palm fibre.
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Papua New Guinean Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber, Beads, Teeth

An Asmat head ornament made from Cuscus fur
Located in Amsterdam, NL
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...
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Art

Materials

Fur, Shell, Natural Fiber

An Asmat headdress decorated with cassowary feathers
Located in Amsterdam, NL
Asmat, Papua Province, Indonesia, Late 19th century Provenance: - Collection Rinck Hollnberger, Munich (purchased in the 1980s or 1990s)
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Indonesian Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber, Feathers

You May Also Like

Set of 4 Plains Tribe American Flag Motif Ceremonial Beadwork Strips
Located in West Palm Beach, FL
Set of 4 Plains Tribe American Flag Motif Ceremonial Beadwork Strips  USA, circa 1900s A rare collection of four Plains Tribe American Flag motif ceremonial beadwork strips dating ba...
Category

20th Century North American Tribal Art

Materials

Leather, Fabric, Beads

Noblewoman's Ceremonial Overskirt, Kuba People
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Noblewoman’s Ceremonial Overskirt Shoowa People, DR Congo Mid 20th century Raffia, palm fiber, stem stitch and cut pile embroidery 42.5 x 2 ins. (108 x 51 cm) An unusual overskirt ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Raffia

Traditional Ethnic Woven Ajat Basket Borneo Indonesia
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Handmade ethnic aged Borneo Ajat basket made from natural Rattan. Motifs of Burung Kenyalang / Hornbill Bird. Traditional ethnic Borneo woven natural organic fiber rattan basket A ...
Category

Vintage 1950s Indonesian Folk Art Tribal Art

Materials

Canvas, Wood

1930's Woven Bark Fibre Panel
Located in London, GB
This 1930's panel, from the Mbole culture in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, has been woven from bark fibre. Dark-coloured strands of fibre, dyed with the roots of a banana tre...
Category

Vintage 1930s Congolese Tribal Tribal Art

Materials

Natural Fiber

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Commonly known as Bogolan or Bògòlanfini, this cotton textile was hand spun, handwoven, then dyed through a technique that has been passed down in the Bamana region of Mali for centu...
Category

20th Century Malian Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton

Bogolan Cowrie Shell Mud Cloth Textile
Located in Chicago, IL
Commonly known as Bogolan or Bògòlanfini, this cotton textile was hand spun, handwoven, then dyed through a technique that has been passed down in the Bamana region of Mali for centu...
Category

20th Century Malian Folk Art Pillows and Throws

Materials

Cotton