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Dodoura (Bailer shell necklace)

Dodoura (Bailer shell necklace)
 (20th century)

Medium
bailer shell, shell, fibre string, tapa string
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

Medium
bailer shell, shell, fibre string, tapa string
Measurements
34.8 × 16.0 × 5.3 cm
Place/s of Execution
Safia, Oro Province, Papua New Guinea
Accession Number
2008.301
Department
Pacific Art
Credit Line
National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Gift of Louise and Sam Dawson, 2008
© the artists
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Vizard Foundation
Reproduction requests
Gallery location
Not on display
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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