Pearl Neck Ornament

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Kina, gold lip pearl shell breast ornaments are rare treasures and a sign of wealth and prosperity, they were worn either alone or in multiples for special celebrations when warriors would wear a kina shell pectoral necklace as the focal point of their dress.

Traditionally the message conveyed by a piece of jewellery were public knowledge and were usually quite specific. At times these body ornaments were worn with purely a wealth or economic value, which were simply hung temporarily on the owner's body or his wife's body for display. This would include the wearing of kina pearl shells set in red ochre and resin plaques among the Melpa people of the Western Highlands of New Guinea. In 1965, the missionaries reported that these breast ornaments were said to be worth three month's wages, and 20 such shells amounted to a reasonable bride price.