This beautiful statue was hand carved in river stone as per ancient techniques by local artisans on the island of Papua.
It’s shaped like a coin to symbolize prosperity. Statues like these were used in marriage proposals since the people of Papua believed that the marriage would be as sturdy as the stone they used as the dowry.

Dowry is an ancient custom that continue to be expected and demanded as a condition to accept a marriage proposal in Papua. It’s a transfer of parental property, gifts, or money at the marriage of a daughter, transferred from the bride’s family to the groom or his family. The custom of dowry is most common in cultures that expect women to reside with or near their husband’s family. 

The statue comes complete with its black handcrafted metal stand and its story, beautifully presented inside an elegant envelope. As each piece is artisan crafted, every Dowry Stone is entirely unique, with subtle variations in shape, texture and finish that reflect its handmade character. The handcrafted metal support carries its own authenticity, with slight irregularities and the potential for a natural patina to develop gracefully over time.

Dimensions: ca 30 x 41cm with the stand.