Five tortoiseshell fishhooks, Torres Strait, Papua New Guinea, early 20th century Height: 4 to 9 cm Tortoiseshell. Entirely crafted from tortoiseshell, these fishhooks illustrate the ingenuity of the peoples of the Torres Strait in harnessing marine resources. Their lightness, durability, and low visibility in the water made them particularly well-suited to the traditional fishing techniques of this region. Provenance: John Giltsoff Gallery, Brussels.