Context (Field collection)
Collected by: Dr A.C. Haddon in 1889
Event Date 1889
Author: rachel hand

Context (CMS Context)
A: Exhibited: 'Torres Strait Islanders: An Exhibition Marking the Centenary of the 1898 Cambridge Anthropological Exhibition' at UCMAA, July 1998 to December 2000, with following label "Piercers ter; luper. Turtle-shell piercers used for thatching and shredding leaves. Piercers were also worn by women as personal ornaments.
Mer. c. A.C. Haddon 1889. Z 7540 A, Z 9759 A, Z 9759 B." F. Veys, 28/7/2006'
B: Exhibited: 'Torres Strait Islanders: An Exhibition Marking the Centenary of the 1898 Cambridge Anthropological Exhibition' at UCMAA, July 1998 to December 2000, with following label " Ornament and two needles ter; luper. Three plaited strings to which is attached a long needle of turtle shell used to pierce the nose or ear. Also attached a small dibidibi and a piece of turtle-shell. Two additional needles with incised decoration.
Mer. c.A.C.Haddon 1889. Z 7540b; Z 9758, Z 7539." F. Veys, 8/8/2006'
Event Date 3/11/1994
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Card 1: 'Ter or Luper. Bodkin or awl made of turtle-shell, used for piercing nasal septum or ear-lobes of infants. 2 specimens attached to a necklace composed of 3 cords of plaited fibre all plaited together at one end where it is produced into a fringe of twisted strings - to which a small dibi-dibi is attached.'
Card 2: 'two specimens attached to plaited fibre cord with small dibi-dibi and piece of turtle shell.'
Used for piercing nasal septum or ear for inserting decoration, shredding leaves or worn as decoration; Good.
Event Date 3/11/1994
Author: maa

Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2024.5884 | Assessment Only
Event Date 7/3/2024
Author: Stephanie De Roemer