Dignitary Pendant "poata Bakiha", Solomon Islands

Circular pectoral adornment consisting of a "Tridacna gigas" shell disc. The lower part is surrounded by braiding coated with a vegetable resin. Below, is attached a circular shell which is itself connected to another piece cut from a "Tridacna gigas" (broken).
This type of dignitary pendant is called "Poata" (formed by rings of shells) and the most valuable are called "Bakiha". They were kept by the most important men of the clan and could serve on rare occasions as currency of exchange with neighboring peoples. Very beautiful old piece despite the gaps (shell ring to hold the braided rope necklace, lower part broken and missing), cracks on the agglomerate.
Solomon Islands,
First half of the 20th century
Height: 28cm