Kanak Currency Necklace

Provenance: Provenance :
Former collection of Mr. Maréchal, of the mounted gendarmerie in the Pouébo sector of New Caledonia. The necklace was given to him by a chief in the 1950s according to his descendants. 
Lot 200, Saint-Pair-sur-Mer Auction House, 24 October 2024.

Literature: Most of the green-stone that is cut, polished and exchanged in New Caledonia are varieties of Serpentine (or serpentinite), resulting from the alteration of peridotites, of which the New Caledonian subsoil is rich and are not jade (nephrite). The stone from the island of Ouen took the name Ouenite. Serpentine beaded necklaces, called caawe in the Nemi language (Hoot Ma Whaap custom area), tied to a skein of coconut fiber and flyingfox fur, were among the most prestigious riches, held by the wives and daughters of chiefs. The coconut fiber and flyingfox fur skein (called hîjuk), an animal respected by the Kanak, was also an important currency in itself, the longer the skein, the greater its value.

Ref. : https://museenouvellecaledonie.gouv.nc/expositions/les-objets-du-mois/colliers-de-jade-kanak