Two prestigious ornaments (kapkap), Santa Isabel, Solomon Islands Diameter: 16.5 and 18.5 cm Clam shell, tortoiseshell, and seashells. Composed of a tridacna disc topped by a thin tortoiseshell plate openworked with a radiating rosette design, these kapkap are among the most iconic ornaments of the Solomon Islands. Worn during ceremonies by high-ranking men, they served as insignia of prestige associated with social status and authority. The combination of precious marine materials and the remarkable delicacy of the decoration attest to the virtuosity of the artisans of Santa Isabel, whose works are among the most refined in Melanesian art. Provenance: American gallery.