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three pieces of pottery with designs on them sitting on a tablethree pieces of pottery sitting on top of a table next to a coin
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90 - THREE KAPKAP ORNAMENTS SOLOMON ISLANDS Made from shell Diame…
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Estimate €2,000 - €3,000
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Description
THREE KAPKAP ORNAMENTS SOLOMON ISLANDS Made from shell Diameter: 4 to 11 cm (1??? to 4³?? in) Three kapkap shell ornaments, Solomon Islands Provenance: Collection of Jean-Jacques Rotthier (1932–2009), Brussels, then passed down through the family  The kapkap is a prestigious ornament found throughout the Solomon Islands, in Insular New Guinea and in certain regions of mainland Papua New Guinea. It consists of a carefully polished disc of giant clam shell (Tridacna gigas), to which a thin, openwork plate is attached. Throughout Oceania, the Tridacna shell is particularly prized for its pearly lustre, its hardness and its durability. The creation of a kapkap requires highly specialised craftsmanship. The lengthy process of abrading the shell with sand – necessary to achieve a perfectly circular disc – is carried out collectively by a group of men, whilst the carving of the plate is entrusted to a specialist, known as an Aitak, who works in isolation. Owing to the precious nature of its materials and the technical skill required for its production, the kapkap is one of the most iconic and prestigious ornaments in the Oceanian world. *Information for buyers: For export from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate may be required; the cost of this is to be borne by the prospective buyer. *Information for buyers: For export from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate will be required, at the buyer’s expense. THREE KAPKAP SHELL ORNAMENTS SOLOMON ISLANDS Diam.: 1??? to 4³?? in Provenance: Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent The kapkap is a prestigious personal ornament found throughout the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and parts of mainland Papua New Guinea. It consists of a polished disc of giant clam shell (Tridacna gigas) overlaid with an intricate openwork plaque. Across Oceania, giant clam shell is highly prized for its lustre, hardness and durability. The production of a kapkap involves a highly specialised process. The labourious grinding of the shell with sand to create a perfectly circular disc is carried out collectively by a group of men, whilst the carving of the plaque is entrusted to a single specialist, known as an Aitak, who works in seclusion. Combining precious materials with exceptional technical skill, the kapkap ranks amongst the most iconic and prestigious ornaments of Oceania. *Information for buyers: For export from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate will be required, at the buyer’s expense.
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About the sale The Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection: Art from Africa and Oceania
Auction location
Auction time 09/08/2026 at 4:00 PM
Pictures credits: Contact the Auction House
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