Solomon Islands Mother of Pearl Adornment

Fine shell adornment hand cut half-moon shaped mother of pearl…
click the photo to enlarge
Fine shell adornment hand cut half-moon shaped Mother of pearl gorget, with overlaid shell, with attached hand cut disc beads and teeth, natural fibre string. Malaita, Solomon Islands. Collected 1950. Length 17 cm. Height 7 cm

You must be a subscriber, and be logged in to view price and dealer details.

Subscribe Now to view actual auction price for this item

When you subscribe, you have the option of setting the currency in which to display prices to $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

This item has been sold, and the description, image and price are for reference purposes only.
  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

This item has been included into following indexes:

Visually similar items

Late 19th century 15ct gold gemstone pendant necklace, shield shape pendant, cut down claw set with an heart shape amethyst of approx. 7.20ct surrounded by 4 seed pearls, on a rope chain. Pendant marked Forster, wt. 8.6g.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

Photo locket silver, late Victorian, on chain

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A sterling silver Macasite pendant; 6 cm Art Deco style frame set with marcasites on chain

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.

A New Zealand Railways electric fan from the Te Rapa Locomotive.

Sold by in for
You can display prices in $Au, $US, $NZ or Stg.