An ancient and rare warrior's pectoral-amulet, it protected its owner from enemy arrows and was worn as an ornament during ceremonies. See for a close copy n° 23 page 47 of Oceania - Signs of Rites, Symbols of Authority, ING, Fonds Mercator. Humboldt Bay, Irian Jaya, Papua New Guinea Basketry, plant fibers, pig teeth (two are damaged), abrus seeds, plant resin, and nassa shells. H. 21 cm (29 cm with the fibers) Provenance: - Former Schanté collection, la Reine Margot, Paris - Former Bernard and Bertrand Bottet collection. Note from the Bottet inventory: "New Guinea, number 19. Basketry pectoral, decorated with red seeds and pig tusks. German New Guinea. Schanté, 150F. " [Reproduced in the inventory] - Enchères Rive Gauche, sale of September 8, 2011, lot n° 17