Institute for Biodiversity Science and Sustainability

CAS Anthropology Collections Database


Catalog Number

CAS 1984-0008-0279   CAS 1984-0008-0279; Earring
Category Jewelry & Metalwork
Object Name Earring
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
Collection Name Rollo Beck Collection (South Pacific)
Materials Sea turtle shell (tortoiseshell)
Description Single earring in the form of a chain of 10 interlocking rings, each fashioned from a narrow strip of turtle shell that is tapered at each end and then probably steamed and bent into circular shape while being strung together; Cut edges of each ring have been polished smooth; Generally, the rings alternate between larger and smaller.
Dimensions (cm) Width = 4.5, Max Diam = 4.0, Length = ca. 32.5