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1884.75.26

Long neck ornament made from Cyperus tubers strung together on plastic cord [RTS 8/6/2004].

On display

1884.75.26

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Collection type
Object
Description
Long neck ornament made from Cyperus tubers strung together on plastic cord [RTS 8/6/2004].
Long description
Modern plastic thread, on which have been strung 89 beads, made from segments of cyperus plant. These have presumably been made from the woody stem of the plant, and have been cut into roughly cylindrical segments with the natural surface left intact, although some projecting twigs appear to have been trimmed off. These are largely aligned along the axis of the string, although occasional beads hang at right angles to this. Each bead has been perforated with a narrow hole down the centre. The surface of the wood is a dark brown colour (Pantone black 4C); a lighter orangey brown colour is visible in areas where the surface has been scratched (Pantone 722C). The wood is naturally scented, with a strong smell somewhat like sandalwood or vanilla. The necklace is complete and largely in good condition, although there are a few splits in the beads leading off their thread holes, probably due to rubbing of the cord on which they have been strung. The necklace has a length, as strung, of 533 mm. The beads are of variable size, but an average example is 12 mm long and 9.6 by 8.5 mm wide. It weighs 43.8 grams [RTS 8/6/2004].
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1865?, uncertain
Date collected
1853 - 1859 or 1861 - 1865
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Wood Plant, Material Plant Stem, Process Perforated, Process Strung
Dimensions
Length: max 533 mm as strung, doubled up, Length: max 12 mm bead, Width: max 9.6 mm bead, Thick: max 8.5 mm bead, Weight 43.8 g
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.75.26 PR Cat other PR nos: 1504
Research and responses

Petherick does not comment on the use of scented wood for personal ornaments of this kind, so it is not clear which culture this should be attributed to. For other cyperus sp. necklaces, see 1884.75.27-.28, and also 1942.1.447. Presumably these beads are made from the woody stem or culm of the plant [RTS 8/6/2004].

Search terms: Ornament, Bead, Neck Ornament

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