Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0059A,B   CAS 1984-0008-0059A,B; Fishing lure and hook
Category Tools & Implements
Object Name Fishing lure and hook
Culture Melanesian
Global Region Oceania
Country Solomon Islands
State/Prov./Dist.
County
Other Geographic Data unknown
Maker's Name Unknown
Date of Manufacture ca. 1920s (A)
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Shell: pearl oyster (Pinctada sp.) and abalone (Haliotis sp.); Sea turtle shell (tortoiseshell); Glass beads; Cordage
Description A: Fishing lure comprising an elongated shaft that is cut from a pearl oyster shell and has a short triangular projection on its lower end and gradually tapers to a point at the upper end that also includes expanded lateral tangs; Lateral edges are carefully shaped; Pair of very short square tangs are cut along each lateral edge near base and a separate upward curving turtle shell hook is secured perpendicular to the shaft, with native cordage that is wrapped around both the hook and the shaft, as well as through a hole that is drilled through the base of the hook; Also secured within the cordage wrapping is a single short stand of 7 small glass seed beads (4 white and 3 red) and a tuft of red wool yarn at its end, all of which hang pendant from the shaft as fringe; Expanded lateral tangs at upper end of shaft provided for attaching short line by which lure could be fastened to a fishing line; B: Small V-shaped hook carved from a single piece of shell; Black markings along shaft of hook are meant to portray eyes and body markings of small fish; Length of native cordage is tied to proximal end of shaft; Hook was accompanied by CAS 1984-0008-0059A when received by CAS, and the two are assumed to have been used together.
Dimensions (cm) Width = A=1.4, Thickness = A=2.3, Length = A=8.0