A Fikum Waist Ornament

BONTOC PEOPLE, NORTHERN LUZON, EARLY TO MID-20TH CENTURY The Fikum is a large engraved gold lipped oyster shell worn at the waist by esteemed warriors of the head hunting Bontoc tribe of the Northern Luzon, Philippines. The shell is engraved around the edge with geometric designs and tied to the waist belt by a coconut shell button. "Pinctada fucata" pearl mussel shell, coconut shell, braided strap 9.75 in. (24.76 cm.) diameter PRICE AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST