Neck ornament- porpoise tooth
Production date
Pre 1984
Country
Solomon Islands
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Object detail
Description
Shell money necklace of coloured glass beads with 14 clusters of porpoise teeth. Strung on fishing wire
Classification
INDIGENOUS CULTURES Melanesian & South Sea Islander neck ornament
COSTUME ACCESSORIES Jewellery necklace
COSTUME ACCESSORIES Jewellery necklace
Maker
Production date
Pre 1984
Production place
Measurements
L. 310mm
Media/Materials description
Glass beads, porpoise teeth, fishing line
Signature/Marks
Shell money \ 1984.\ Porpoise teeth
History and use
This porpoise tooth and glass bead necklace is from the Helen Barrett collection, which was donated to Queensland Museum in 2014. Miss Helen Barrett worked as a nurse with the Australian Board of Mission in Solomon Islands from 1947 until 1984. Barrett was based at Tasia in Isabel Province, and Maravovo on Guadalcanal before being stationed at the Hospital of the Epiphany at Fauabu, Malaita from 1968 until 1984. In the 1990s, Barrett worked with the Mothers Union in the Torres Strait Islands. Her collection largely comprises of objects that were presented as gifts over the course of her missionary work in Melanesia.
Registration number
E40745
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