Chest ornament composed of woven rattan. Inserted through a tube-like pocket near the top is a wood crosspiece wrapped in plant fibre and red cloth with two large cowrie shells attached on either side. The lappet consists of three long woven strips with three smaller strips layered overtop. Above the crosspiece are two triangular sections of weaving. A plant fibre cord is attached to the crosspiece at either side. The weaving is outlined in single or double rows of small white shells. The front is coloured red, and the back is left natural brown.

• Narrative

  Collected by Jack Lieber in Papua New Guinea, Eastern Highlands Division, from August 1970 - June 1972. He was researching village communities in and around Goroka, where he was lecturing under the auspices of UNESCO at the Goroka Teachers College.

---

• Type of Item ornament
• Culture New Guinea
• Material cowrie shell, shell, plant fibre, pigment, fibre, rattan
• Measurements height 53.0 cm, width 31.5 cm, depth 4.5 cm (overall)

---

• Previous Owner Jack Lieber, Iris Lieber
• Received from Iris Lieber

---

• Made in Papua New Guinea

---

• Collection Date between 1970 and 1972
• Ownership Date before 2015, before June 18, 2018
• Acquisition Date on June 18, 2018

---

• Condition fair
• Accession Number 3326/0052