Arms, Armour, Minerals, Asian & Ethnographic

Solomon Islands "Barava" Fossilized Shell "Tridacna Gigas" Plaque, 19th-20th c.

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Start price: $475

Estimated price: $1,000 - $1,500

Buyer's premium:

Oceania, Solomon Islands, Melanesian Peoples 19th-20th c. Fine carved marble like carving from fossilized Giant Clamshell (Tridacna Shell) depicting a figure with arms at their side touching their head and legs to the side with a lar circular base below.

During the late 19th century a group of fine shell were being used to carve exceptional marble like plaques and their source was only known to the small contingent of Melanesian carvers which were in turn worn as symbols of status. 12" H on included custom stand

Collected prior to 2008, ex-Lacy Gallery (Vanna & Lee Lacy collection), Los Angeles CA. Lacy Gallery was founded upon six decades of collecting ethnographic and fine art. Lee Lacy was a distinguished Hollywood producer of iconic TV series and commercials.