Accession No
1917.81.2
Description
Shell money/currency: black and white beads.
Place
Oceania; Melanesia; Solomon Islands
Period
Source
Martin, John Harington (Lieutenant, R.N.) [collector]; Martin collection; Martin, Caroline (Miss) [donor]
Department
Anth
Reference Numbers
1917.81.2; MAA: Z 6263.2
Cultural Affliation
Material
Plant; Fibre; Shell
Local Term
Measurements
Events
Description (CMS Description)
Eleven strands of shell money secured at both ends with 3-ply plaits of twisted string. Each strand is formed of a complex plait into which has been incorporated a black vine-like material and sections decorated with white tridacna shell beads. Tied into a bundle.
Event Date 26/8/2015
Author: maa
Context (CMS Context)
Labels & inscriptions: a small metal label attached to the object reads '1917.81.2.' in white ink. A small oval paper label attached to the object reads '1917.81.2' in pencil.
Event Date 26/8/2015
Author: maa
Description (CMS Description)
[From catalogue card:] '[One of] 7 shell bead chains' and added later: '2... of many strands of black plait with groups of white shell beads.'
Event Date 26/8/2015
Author: maa
Context (Amendments / updates)
Register notes for 1917.74-85 'Collected by Lieut.t Harrington [sic] Martin, R.N., 1873/ Given by his sister Miss Caroline Martin'. The term 'late' has been added in pencil to the collector's name for the subsequent page of material from 1917.79- 87.
Lieut. John Harington Martin, R.N., served on H.M.S. Dido on the Australia Station 1872- 1875. His name has been variously written and mis-transcribed as Marten and Harrington.
Event Date 8/10/2020
Author: rachel hand
FM:268619
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