This wonderful piece is a shell trumpet from the Schouten Islands off of New Guinea’s north coast. The people who live on the volcanic islands spend much time either gardening on the steep slopes or fishing in dugout canoes not far from shore. Shell trumpets like this were kept in all houses and were used to call for family members to return home. This example is ancient with a thick brown encrusted patina that develops on most artifacts from being kept for generations above the cooking fires. The shell is 12 ½" in height, dates to the 19th century. sold