High-End Artifact Auction - Native American & Pre-Columbian
Lot 275:
Description
6 1/8″ x 2 3/4″ Papua New Guinea Kina shell necklace, a traditional piece of jewelry and a form of currency made from polished mother-of-pearl. Kina shells are prized for their golden yellow color and are worn by both men and women as a sign of wealth and prosperity. Traditionally, these shells were worn as pectorals, either with a fiber strap or as part of a moka kina plaque. The name “Kina” means both “shell” and “money” in New Guinea, and the national currency of Papua New Guinea is named after it. The clasp is marked “1/20 12K”. Chain material unknown.
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