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Dodoura (Bailer shell necklace)

Safia people, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Dodoura (Bailer shell necklace)
 (20th century)

Medium
bailer shell, shell, fibre string, tapa string

Measurements
34.8 × 16.0 × 5.3 cm

Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Louise and Sam Dawson, 2008
© the artists

Reproduction requests

Gallery location
Not on display

Artwork Details

Place/s of Execution
Safia, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea

Accession Number
2008.301

Department
Pacific Art

This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation

Physical description
This necklace was worn by a man while he danced. To highlight the beauty of the object or maybe the wearer, he would, at times, grip the bailer shell in his teeth and continue dancing. Then, after a while, he would simply wear it, hung around his neck, until a while later when he would be inspired to once again grip the shell in his teeth. Called a 'dodoura' in the language of the people of Safia, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea.

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