Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2018 ANA - Sess. A, B, D 14 & 16 Aug 2018
View prices realized
► Sale information
Find similar lots
SOLOMON ISLANDS. Santa Cruz. Honey Eater Bird Feather Coil, ND.
Approximately 2 in x 30 ft. Optiz-pg.142; Bowers Museum-2001.74.14. EXTREMELY RARE and extremely difficult to obtain an intact coil. Each coil takes about one year's labor by three specialists, the bird snarer, the platelet maker and the currency binder. Each coil requires a minimum of 300 Honey eater birds with a total of at least 1,500 platelets. A single bird could be used to make up to five platelets each using only the feathers from the breast, head and back of the bird. Also known as Tau, Tirrau, Tavau and Temotu these coils were used in bride price which consisted of 10 coils. The value placed on each coil was dependent on its integrity and graduated in value from a new or nearly perfect coil (#1) to the bottom (#10) which was nearly worn out and blackened from feather loss. For example it would take two #10's to equal one #9 and two #9's to equal a #8. So a #1 was equal to 512 #10's. According to Opitz in 1962, there were only five men on Santa Cruz who could bind currency. A person may learn this skill only if his father was also a currency binder. The binder needs the inheritance of magic secrets; an unauthorized person making his own currency risks the anger of the spirits. Areas of missing feathers which are now blackened. Based on the amount of feathers still present on this example we believe it to be a about a #2 or #3. Highly sought after and a real treat for the specialist of primitive monies or ethnography. Due to the nature and size of this lot, additional shipping charges will apply. We encourage interested bidders to contact us for more information.
From an Advanced Collection of Primitive Monies.
Estimate: $6000.00- $8000.00
Approximately 2 in x 30 ft. Optiz-pg.142; Bowers Museum-2001.74.14. EXTREMELY RARE and extremely difficult to obtain an intact coil. Each coil takes about one year's labor by three specialists, the bird snarer, the platelet maker and the currency binder. Each coil requires a minimum of 300 Honey eater birds with a total of at least 1,500 platelets. A single bird could be used to make up to five platelets each using only the feathers from the breast, head and back of the bird. Also known as Tau, Tirrau, Tavau and Temotu these coils were used in bride price which consisted of 10 coils. The value placed on each coil was dependent on its integrity and graduated in value from a new or nearly perfect coil (#1) to the bottom (#10) which was nearly worn out and blackened from feather loss. For example it would take two #10's to equal one #9 and two #9's to equal a #8. So a #1 was equal to 512 #10's. According to Opitz in 1962, there were only five men on Santa Cruz who could bind currency. A person may learn this skill only if his father was also a currency binder. The binder needs the inheritance of magic secrets; an unauthorized person making his own currency risks the anger of the spirits. Areas of missing feathers which are now blackened. Based on the amount of feathers still present on this example we believe it to be a about a #2 or #3. Highly sought after and a real treat for the specialist of primitive monies or ethnography. Due to the nature and size of this lot, additional shipping charges will apply. We encourage interested bidders to contact us for more information.
From an Advanced Collection of Primitive Monies.
Estimate: $6000.00- $8000.00