Description (CMS Description)
On catalogue card: 'Shell bead necklace / currency. Red, black and white beads. 1 string unbroken.'
Event Date 9/4/2009
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Single strand of shell money. The ends are tied together. The strands are predominantly formed of red shell beads, with occasional black beads and white shell beads. Strung on a cord of vegetable fibre.
Event Date 27/8/2015
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
There is no label or inscription on this object to indicate its provenance. The Z number register (#5) notes that it is associated to the Edgell collection [William Henry Edgell, whose collection came to MAA in 1923 and in 1961].
Event Date 27/8/2015
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Analysis)
Long single strand of primarily red (Chama) beads. The central part has alternating white and dark discs. Some of the dark discs are seed while some are dark brown shell. Some of the brown beads are translucent and could be turtle carapace. The Chama beads are generally well-worn and there's a real mix of shapes and wear patterns. All the colours would indicate that this strand is made up of material from a wide mixture of original sources.
Event Date 9/11/2017
Author: Katherine Szabo