Nose Ornament

MOA: University of British Columbia

2948/39

Nose piece (Bipane). Two large shells of a clam are carved into thick concentric crescents, tied together with a bright yellow fibre through a small hole in each piece and glued with beeswax. The outside is a light tan in colour with brown striations. The underside (front) is ivory in colour. The two crescents are set quite far apart.


  • Type of Item ornament
  • Culture Asmat
  • Material clam shell, bark, wood resin
  • Measurements height 8.7 cm, width 18.8 cm, depth 1.9 cm (overall)

  • Previous Owner Lorne Balshine
  • Received from Lorne Balshine

  • Made in Papua

  • Collection Date during 1980
  • Ownership Date before April 11, 2012
  • Acquisition Date on April 11, 2012

  • Condition good
  • Accession Number 2948/0039