TWO COINS
Vanuatu, Oceania
First half of the 20th century
Pig's tooth
Diameter: 10 cm
These coins, made from pig teeth strongly curved back on themselves, also served as bracelets. This particular and unnatural shape is due to a procedure performed on the pig while it was still alive: its two upper canines are removed to allow its lower incisors to develop.
In Vanuatu, the pig is a prestigious animal. Therefore, its tusks were used as currency. The more rounded and curved they were, the more valuable they were.
Text and photos © FCP CORIDON
Ref.: 6592
+33681153179
ff.coridon@wanadoo.fr
www.proantic.com/galerie/coridon/
