Jean-Jacques Rotthier Collection (1932–2009), Brussels, then by descent

The kapkap is a prestigious personal ornament found throughout the Solomon Islands, New Guinea, and parts of mainland Papua New Guinea. It consists of a polished disc of giant clam shell (Tridacna gigas) overlaid with an intricate openwork plaque. Across Oceania, giant clam shell is highly prized for its lustre, hardness, and durability. The production of a kapkap involves a highly specialized process. The laborious grinding of the shell with sand to create a perfectly circular disc is carried out collectively by a group of men, while the carving of the plaque is entrusted to a single specialist, known as an Aitak, who works in seclusion. Combining precious materials with exceptional technical skill, the kapkap stands among the most iconic and prestigious ornaments of Oceania.

*Information to the buyers :

For an exit from the EU, a CITES re-export certificate will be necessary, at the buyer's expense.