Tridacna gigas: prestige objects in Melanesia – Fossil giant clam – Oceanic art (book)

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Tridacna gigas: Objects of Prestige in Melanesia
From the Lapita Period to Headhunters and to the Present Day
Authors: Éric Lancrenon & Didier Zanette
Publisher: Au vent des îles (Tahiti)
Year: 2011
ISBN: 9782915654929
Condition: Very good condition – corners slightly rubbed
Language: French

An exceptional material, the fossil giant clam (Tridacna gigas) gave rise to unique and eminently precious objects, prized by powerful figures in Melanesia.

To assert their rank and social prerogatives, the Oceanic elites needed to possess extraordinary insignia. Unlike wooden sculptures, vulnerable to the tropical climate, the fossil giant clam, extremely resistant to the ravages of time, allowed for the transmission of these priceless treasures from generation to generation. This enduring nature reinforced the sacred and divine character of certain objects, which became veritable ancestral relics.

The extreme rarity of these pieces at the time, amplified today by a dramatic shortage, explains why these masterpieces remained largely unknown to Westerners for so long. Even today, very few authentic prototypes survive in private and museum collections.

This magnificent, richly illustrated book finally restores these exceptional objects to their rightful place in the pantheon of Oceanic art. An essential reference for lovers of tribal art, collectors of prestigious Pacific artifacts, and enthusiasts of Melanesian archaeology (Lapita period, Solomon Islands cultures, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, etc.).

Themes: Oceanic art • Fossil clam • Tridacna gigas • Melanesian ritual objects • Lapita period • Headhunters • South Pacific cultural heritage

Perfect for collectors and institutions specializing in tribal art.

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