Minneapolis Institute of Art

Kapkap

Solomon Islands

Date

19th century

Medium

Clam shell, tortoise shell, cord, shell beads

Department

Arts of Oceania

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Kapkap were worn by the men of the Solomon Islands in battle and are still worn today at festivals, either as pendants or as forehead or belt ornaments. They symbolize personal wealth and status, the size and quality generally indicating one’s social standing. The white disk was ground from the shell of a giant clam. The brown inner disk was carved from boiled tortoiseshell and attached with a string. Kapkap from the Solomon Islands were traded throughout the region and are still valued today. Oceania

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