Oceania, Melanesia, Solomon Islands, ca. 19th century CE. A fabulous trio of shell rings - 2 of clam shell and 1 of nacre - all skillfully carved in openwork forms. Known as bakiha or currency rings, the 2 larger pieces are carved from the shell of the giant clam Tridacna gigas. The largest presents a beveled interior and an edged exterior, while the other is of tubular form. The largest bakiha were treated as clan heirlooms and served as land title deeds, while shell rings like these examples were instead used essentially as currency. In some cases, the rings would also have ceremonial uses and transfer ancestral power from owner to owner. Smallest of the 3, the third shell is sculpted from nacre to display 2 flat sides. A gorgeous iridescence of rainbow hues naturally adorns its surface. This ring was likely used as a body ornament and possibly worn as an armband by women. Size (of largest): 4.6" in diameter x 0.7" H (11.7 cm x 1.8 cm)

Shell rings similar to the 2 largest of this group can be found at the British Museum under accession numbers Oc1904,0621.10 and Oc1920,0313.4.

Provenance: private Hawaii, USA collection, acquired 1995 to 2010

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#168039

Larger 2 have expected nicks. Otherwise, all are intact and excellent.