Context (CMS Context)
The back of one of the catalogue card gives the following information, given by David Akin, 1983: 'This is a la'oniasi (Kwaio term, made of giant clam shell. The shell piece is ground in stone. The design is incised with flit, or with the tooth of a large rodent (Mus Rex) which is not extinct on Malaita, though not on other islands. The design represents frigate birds with an abstraction of a bonito tail on each. One some pendants, the fish tails become very realistic. On some from Makira, the birds actually become bonito. Most Malaitan artists do not realize this origin of the long sweeping bird tails. 'These pendants were worn by married women in Kwaio, but now are also occasionally worn by men, and probably in the past too. The black in the design is made from any combination of the following: Muki puttynit (see also Z 10986); Aakwasi, A contract poison sap; and Alamaakwangam, a bluish berry'.
Event Date 26/5/2015
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (CMS Context)
Labels & inscriptions: An old label glued to one of the catalogue cards reads: 'E 1908.282. Shell pendant (Lao). Malayta, Solomon Is. (Bt Webster, London). Purchased 1908.
Event Date 26/5/2015
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
[From catalogue card 1:] 'Breast ornament... of white shell, 'lao' flat engraved with a triple frigate bird design'. [From catalogue card 2:] 'Neck pendant made of a circular disk of clam shell with bird pattern incised on one face only. There is a geometrical border as well. This is a 'god' piece embued with mana'. [From catalogue card 3:] 'An oval PENDANT of white tridacna shell (lao) with incised decorated: frigate birds etc.'
Event Date 26/5/2015
Author: maa