Solomon Island Canoe Prow Ornament

An early canoe prow ornament (nguzunguzu), New Georgia Island,…
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An early canoe prow ornament (nguzunguzu), New Georgia Island, Solomon Islands, (nineteenth century), carved wood, pearl shell inlay and resin, 13.7 cm high. This early figurehead is atypical in its diminutively mischievous proportions. The accentuated and flaired curves of the anatomical detail (particularly to the nasal region), highlighted with segments of Mother of pearl ornamentation and capped off with the helmetlike protrusion, makes this particular 'Icon of Oceanic Art' all the more intriguing. Provenance: Reputedly collected in the 1920s. Private Estate Collection, Victoria. Private Collection, Victoria

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  • Mother-Of-Pearl - Mother-of-pearl, technical name "nacre", is the inner layer of a sea shell. The iridescent colours and strength of this material were widely used in the nineteenth century as an inlay in jewellery, furniture, (especially papier mache furniture) and musical instruments.

    In the early 1900s it was used to make pearl buttons. Mother-of-pearl is a soft material that is easily cut or engraved.

    Nowadays it is a by-product of the oyster, freshwater pearl mussel and abalone industries.

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