"Talipun Currency - Papua New Guinea - First Half Of The 20th Century"
Talipun CURRENCY Maprik culture, Boiken region, East Sepik, Papua New Guinea
First half of the 20th century
Shell, vegetable fibres and pigments
H. 34 cm, length 18 cm
A giant marine snail shell, called turbo marmorantus, forms the base of the coin, to which is attached a large woven fibre mask, enhanced with pigments and enlivened with small feathers at the top. Its openwork eyes are slightly tubular and its nose protrudes.
These valuable coins were used for funeral rites, as gifts between two clans following a conflict, or as dowries at weddings.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
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