Bidspirit auction | Solomon Islands Circular Form Plaque

Solomon Islands Circular Form Plaque - Oceania, Western Solomon Islands, Melanesian Peoples late 19th-20th c. Fine marble like carving from fossilized clamshell (Tridacna Shell). Featuring a circular form that is thinner and ear like carvings to the top with some light incising. These carvings represent a symbol of wealth depicting a zoomorphic figure over a large openwork circle. During the late 19th century a group of fine fossilized shell were being used to carve exceptional marble like plaques. Their source only known to the small contingent of Melanesian carvers, the carvings which were in turn worn as symbols of status and sometimes used to adorn structures. Size 6” H x 5 3/8” W This example with a circular form that is thinner and ear like carvings to the top with some light incising. Collected prior to 2008, ex-Lacy Gallery (Vanna & Lee Lacy collection), Los Angeles CA. Lacy Gallery was founded upon six decades of collecting ethnographic and fine art. Lee Lacy was a distinguished Hollywood producer of iconic TV series and commercials.