Vanimo area, North Coast, PNG. 19th / Early 20th Century.

This breast ornament has an old Dutch tag, so it may actually have originated across the border in Humboldt Bay area. Made of split pig tusks, with a tightly woven fibre panel, encrusted with abrus seeds set in tree resin. Traditionally these were worn by men into battle for both spiritual and physical protection. ex-Daalder collection, Adelaide. “Borstsieraad voor mannen” (Breast ornament for man).