Kina
The kina shell pendant is considered the most valuable item of the Papuan highlands and consists of the rare gold-lipped oyster shell (Pinctada maxima). Pearl shell was brought from the coast to the interior through a series of exchange networks until first contact was made with Australian prospectors in the 1930s. Kina were incorporated into competitive ceremonial exchanges between clan leaders, and the name was adopted for the national currency of Papua New Guinea in April 1975.
Object Summary
- Accession Loan No.
- 100/1996/6
- Category
- Ethnography
- Collection Class
- Personal ornament
- Collection Area Region
- MELAN
- Material
- pearl shell (Pinctada maxima)nylon twineseed
- Common Name
- kina
- Simple Name
- pendant
- Production County
- Western Highlands province; Mount Hagen area
- Production Country
- Papua New Guinea
- Production Year High
- 1996
