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Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Talipun

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Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Talipun (obverse) Papua New Guinea, East Sepik Province, Talipun (reverse)

This unusual object was in use as ceremonial currency throughout the Sepik grassland of Papua New Guinea. It was a bride object called talipun, and was exchanged during marriage transactions. The most valuable part of the talipun is the carved shell of the Great Green Turbo (turbo marmoratus), a large sea snail. Attached is a painted facial mask woven from rattan.

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