Giant clam shell, Tridacna gigas
19th century
Diameter: 15 cm. Width: 3.5 cm.
Giant clam shell rings were a widely used as a form of currency given in exchanges throughout the Western Solomon Islands. The larger the ring the more the value associated with it. These large erenge were cut from the hinge of the shell and often had a yellowish or orange tinge to it. The core was carefully removed using a combination of boring holes with a pump drill and then connecting the holes by sawing with a root of a bush creeper called an asama. Finally the ring was polished smooth using sand and water. (Waite, pg 72/3)
Price on request
