Lot 207 Dα

These gold plates are found on various Moluccan Islands and are worn by both men and women as chest ornaments and are sometimes worn on the head. They serve as status symbols; the greater the number of motifs, the greater their prestige and status, and are passed down through generations, their status increasing with age.

The plates are made of red gold, which is obtained by adding red copper to the gold alloy. Gold is considered a dangerous metal, a "hot" metal, and is reserved for the nobility.