Kapkap, 19th century, Unknown Solomon Islands, 3 5/8 in. ( cm), Clam shell, tortoise shell, Papua New Guinea, 19th century, The brown, lace-like discs attached to the white clam shells of these ornaments are made of tortoiseshell. When boiled, tortoiseshell becomes pliable and can be cut into patterns. The marble-like shell of the giant clam is a technically challenging medium, nearly as hard as stone. The art of working it reached a peak on the Solomon Islands in Oceania. The ornaments, called kapkap, were used as exchange goods throughout the region, and are still worn today at festivals

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