Tolai shell ring currency

This large disk, striking in its spare beauty and imposing size, is an extremely rare example of New Britain currency. Among the Tolai, shell money was called tambu, made by stringing thousands of white shells onto lengths of rattan, then rolled into a ring and bound with leaves. Shell payment was essential to the balance of Tolai societies. The acquisition and display of such a ring, representing a man’s wealth, meant an increase in status as well.