Guinean Arm Band, Based

A sunburst of sawtooth rings sits at the center like a target nobody would want to miss.

This arm band, on a base, is from Tarawei Island, Sepik Coast, Papua New Guinea, dating to the early 20th century, and is made of shell. Arm ornaments of shell and other materials are widely worn across New Guinea, often at ceremonies, where adornment is usually understood as an expression of standing and identity. This shorter band is a dark brown cylinder engraved with concentric circles edged in triangles. Sawtooth borders run around top and bottom, with small linked motifs between the rosettes. Pale scratches and wear show at the rim. It is 7 inches high and 3.25 in diameter, on a black stand.

Bold geometry, worn close to the skin.