Rare bark belt from the North Coast of Papua New Guinea

I re-post this with great pleasure because as it happens "ethnic jewels" is a site where remarkably few Oceanic pieces are shown. Perhaps this is a gap which I should be trying to fill somewhat over time, as I am in a position to do so. Oceania has produced wonderful jewellery, and it deserves more attention than it has yet received, even among collectors. This piece, for sure, would be expensive (though only according to its merit), as it is only one of two known to be in private hands, with only four others known to be held by just one museum. In short, this is a VERY rare Oceanic artefact. Note the age and the particularly beautiful deeply incised decoration. A remarkable belt - all wood, and stone-carved. Pieces of this exceptional standing now increasingly are being recognised for their importance, but only just. And many great pieces which are also not at all common are still sold far more cheaply than anything comparable from other cultures would be, simply because of the area which they come from. Oceanic sculpture DOES attract big money, but the people who collect that are often not interested in adornment, which is a comparatively neglected area. The most extensive discussion of the subject occurs so far in Truus's *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment*, for which it has been much praised, though not necessarily been bought!! (In fact we seem to get more buyers who want the sections on metallic jewellery.)

Comments

Patricia Deany August 20, 2011 at 11:02pm

Rare and glorious!
Joost Daalder April 1, 2012 at 4:25am

I re-post this with great pleasure because as it happens "ethnic jewels" is a site where remarkably few Oceanic pieces are shown. Perhaps this is a gap which I should be trying to fill somewhat over time, as I am in a position to do so. Oceania has produced wonderful jewellery, and it deserves more attention than it has yet received, even among collectors. This piece, for sure, would be expensive (though only according to its merit), as it is only one of two known to be in private hands, with only four others known to be held by just one museum. In short, this is a VERY rare Oceanic artefact. Note the age and the particularly beautiful deeply incised decoration. A remarkable belt - all wood, and stone-carved. Pieces of this exceptional standing now increasingly are being recognised for their importance, but only just. And many great pieces which are also not at all common are still sold far more cheaply than anything comparable from other cultures would be, simply because of the area which they come from. Oceanic sculpture DOES attract big money, but the people who collect that are often not interested in adornment, which is a comparatively neglected area. The most extensive discussion of the subject occurs so far in Truus's *Ethnic Jewellery and Adornment*, for which it has been much praised, though not necessarily been bought!! (In fact we seem to get more buyers who want the sections on metallic jewellery.)

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Rare bark belt from the North Coast of Papua New Guinea

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