Rare Wealth Object — Necklace with Mbaravas — New Georgia, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands (Field Collected in the 1970s) Offered is an exceptional and very rare traditional wealth object from New Georgia, in the culturally rich Marovo Lagoon of the Solomon Islands. This necklace, composed of Mbaravas (highly valued shell discs traditionally used as wealth and ceremonial currency), embodies the social prestige and economic significance of classic Solomon Islands exchange systems. In the Marovo Lagoon, Mbarava necklaces were not worn as jewellery in the Western sense. They served as prestige valuables, wealth units, and social currency. Such objects were used in: – marriage exchanges – compensation payments – alliance-building – major ceremonies and festive events They were typically owned and safeguarded by prominent families, brought out only at times of cultural importance. Their value was measured not only in material rarity but in the history, status, and relationships attached to them. This piece was collected in the field in the 1970s, at a time when traditional wealth items were still in active use in many communities of the Solomon Islands. It has been preserved in a private collection ever since, retaining excellent authenticity and a deep, natural patina. The Mbaravas are finely shaped and beautifully strung on traditional fibre, creating a necklace with strong presence and impressive craftsmanship typical of Marovo artisans. The ageing of the shell, the subtle colour variations, and the hand-worked surfaces illustrate its cultural age and long-term handling. • Object: Wealth necklace with Mbaravas • Origin: New Georgia Island, Marovo Lagoon, Solomon Islands • Cultural role: Traditional wealth object; used in exchanges, alliances, marriage transactions, and ceremonial presentations • Collection date: 1970s (field collected) • Material: Shell (Mbaravas), fibre • Condition: Very good, with authentic patina and signs of age and use • Provenance: Private collection (acquired in situ) This is a rare and highly desirable example of Oceanic wealth culture — a museum-quality piece perfect for collectors of tribal art, ethnographic valuables, and Pacific Island heritage. Secure, careful packaging and insured, tracked shipping will be provided. We pack securely sending worldwide Sold by Koos Knol, ethnographer and anthropologist, dealer of Papua Tribal Art for more than 30 years, expert and author of the book “Papua Blues”, written in Dutch. (Maybe in English next year.)  Published end of October 2024 A book about inside stories, a book that deals with the many encounters with special people in West Papua, the impressive experiences that the author has, about special encounters with men and women who tell him about secret things, about ethnographic objects and initiate him into the rituals and ceremonies. A must have for collectors, ethnographers, ethnologists, anthropologists and museums   Google:Papua Blues Koos Knol