A beautiful and classic kap kap pendant, called tema in the Santa Cruz Islands, characterized by its stylized frigate and fish motifs. Larger in diameter than other Solomon Islands kap kap, Santa Cruz tema discs were worn as chest pendants - sometimes suspended from another necklace - by high-ranking men during festivities and certain rituals. Precious objects and insignia of prestige, kap kap were all the more valuable the larger their diameter. See : Vision d'Océanie, Bounoure, 1992, p. 184 for a similar ornament. Santa Cruz Islands, Solomon Islands Archipelago, Melanesia Shell (Tridacna gigas), tortoise shell, plant fiber ligature, visible chips, chips and old scratches, beautiful antique patina. D. 16.5 cm Provenance : Monsieur V. Collection, Brussels