Conus armshells in British New Guinea: the effects of economic change on cross-cultural engagement

Abstract

In late nineteenth century British New Guinea armshells made from conus shells were an essential element of ceremonial exchange among communities resident along the southern coast and in the islands of the Massim region. A comparative analysis of the size and nature of decoration on conus armshells within the Official and Personal collections assembled by Sir William MacGregor, Administrator and Lieutenant Governor (1888–1898) illustrates the effects of economic change on the availability of objects used to broker cross-cultural exchanges. The abundance of trade goods available to local communities combined with high rates of inflation in the number of armshells required for marriage payments in the region around Port Moresby led to a severe shortage of these valuables. In the Trobriand Islands, which were experiencing an economic boom due to the high demand for pearls by western traders, large valuable objects used in the Kula ceremonial exchange system were also rarely given to outsiders. This study illustrates the impact of varying social and economic conditions on local decisions about social engagements involving cultural valuables.