Accession No
Z 31493
Description
Shell bead necklace or currency. Mainly black beads with a few red & white ones.
Place
Oceania; Melanesia; Solomon Islands
Period
Source
Edgell, William Henry (Rev.) [collector]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
Z 31493
Cultural Affliation
Material
Shell; plant fibre
Local Term
Measurements
Events
Description (CMS Description)
[From catalogue card:] 'Shell bead necklace / currency. Mainly black beads with a few red & white ones. In good condition, 6 strings'.
Event Date 9/4/2009
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
Description (CMS Description)
Six strands of shell money, looped and tied together at one end (thus forming twelve strands). The strands are predominantly formed of small rounded black beads. Some sections are decorated with white shell beads and red shell beads. On a twisted cord.
Event Date 27/8/2015
Author: maa
Context (Analysis)
Six strands of shell currency made predominantly of black seeds, but with occasional alternating seed and white shell discs, and small zones of red Chama discs. There is little evidence of wear, but neither the seeds or the Chama beads have the dull, chalky look of freshly-produced strands. This suggests some degree of wear or use.
Event Date 9/11/2017
Author: Katherine Szabo
FM:265883
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