1923.74.4

Collection type

Object

Description

Fish hook of a single piece of pearl shell. The hook is parallel to the shank.

Geographical reference

New Caledonia (Special Collectivity of France)

Oceania > Melanesia > New Caledonia (Special Collectivity of France)

Person

Field collector Emma Hadfield

Field collector London Missionary Society

PRM source Emma Hadfield

Date / Period

Date made: Before 1923

Date collected

1886 to 1920

Acquisition information

Purchased: 1923

Materials and processes

Material Pearl Shell, Process Carved

Dimensions

Width: max 38 mm, Length: max 73 mm

Object numbers

Accession number: 1923.74.4

Research and responses

According to Francois Wadra, visiting researcher from Mare, Loyalty Islands, the fish hook is made of trochus shell. Information given in September 2009. [El.B 24/09/2009]

For more information about the collector and donor see 'Emma Hadfield Among the natives of the Loyalty Group', by Hannah Ivory, pages 313 to 317 in Melanesia Art and encounter, edited by Lissant Bolton, Nicholas Thomas, Elizabeth Bonshek, Julie Adams, and Ben Burt (London: British Museum Press, 2013). On page 313 Ivory notes Emma, along with James Hadfield were London Missionary Society evangelists 'who resided on the islands of Ouvea and Lifou for nearly forty years, from 1886-1920...Recent research into the Hadfields' time in the Loyalties and their collecting activity indicates that it was principally Emma who collected the objects while in 'the field''. [ZM 4/5/2016]

For the donor's own publication see Emma Hadfield, 1920, Among the Natives of the Loyalty Group (MacMillan: London) [ZM 4/5/2016]

Search terms: Fishing, Fishing Accessory, Hook