Coyotes Paw

Papua New Guinea's art includes some uniquely strange objects - this Talipun bridewealth is certainly one of them. A huge green turban snailshell with an attached basketry head is part of payment for a wife, along with pigs, shell money and dogs teeth currency. In many parts of New Guinea, pigs are only slightly less valuable than a wife. Much social display of wealth centers on the "big man" who outdoes his rivals in hosting grand pig feasts and displaying his kina shell money to hundreds of guests.

height - 14"