Bidspirit auction | CHIEFLY NOSE ORNAMENT

CHIEFLY NOSE ORNAMENT - Ca. 19th - 20th century AD. A nose ornament, possibly Papua New Guinea. Finely carved from pearl shell into an openwork geometric plaque, this imposing nose adornment is suspended with multiple strands of colourful beads terminating in elongated pearl shell pendants. Such ornaments were reserved for men of rank and prestige, serving as visible emblems of chiefly authority during ceremonies and exchanges.Size: 140mm x 105mm; Weight: 30gProvenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex. Webb's, March 2012, Sale 979, Lot 5.