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1884.77.15

Perforated hook-shaped pendant of turtle shell [LM 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 7/9/2005]

1884.77.15

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Collection type
Object
Description
Perforated hook-shaped pendant of turtle shell [LM 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 7/9/2005]
Long description
Hook with two small projections at base. Probably Sabagurar, marriage ornament. [LM]
Geographical reference
Australia
Oceania > Australia and New Zealand > Australia
Queensland Torres Strait Islands Mer Island
Cultural groups
Meriam Mir
Date / Period
Date made: Before 1874
Date collected
Prior to 1874
Acquisition information
Donated: 1884
Materials and processes
Material Turtleshell Reptile, Process Perforated, Process Carved
Dimensions
Length: max 87 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1884.77.15 PR Cat other PR nos: 1712
Research and responses

It is a long odds possibility that E. Higgins could be Edmund Thomas Higgins [ca 1816 - 1891 surgeon who in 1867 took over business of Samuel Stevens a natural history dealer]. He is mentioned in an article about Robert Bruce Napoleon Walker [see ‘Robert Bruce Napoleon Walker, FRGS, FAS, FGS CMZS (1832 - 1901) West African trader, explorer, and collector of zoological specimens’ Nora McMillan, Dept of Zoology, NMGS Merseyside Liverpool Museum, Archives of Natural History 1996 23 (1) 125-141] [AP 01/09/2004]

Associated publications
Illustrated in black and white as Number I in Plate CLXXXVI opposite page 123 in Fish Hooks (Pacific Island Records), by Harry G. Beasley (London: Seeley, Service & Co., Ltd, 1928). Beasley writes (page 123) under the heading 'Part IV. Miscellaneous Hooks: Ornamental and Symbolical etc.' and the sub-heading 'Melanesia': 'The next plate (CLXXXVI.) offers in No. 1 a transitionary example, serving equally well as an ornament or a working hook. The double spur at the base, however, indicates that it was made for ornament. It is of considerable age, but of somewhat indifferent finish, and, like the majority of those illustrated, was collected by the Cambridge University Expedition. The length is 3 3/8 in. (8.9 cm.).' NB Pace Beasley this was not collected by the Cambridge University Expedition; presumably Beasley confused the record with that for 1889.34.14. [JC 30 6 2016]

Search terms: Ornament, Fishing, Marriage, Food and Drink, Food and Fuel Gathering, Narcotic, Pendant, Hook, Fishing Accessory, Food Accessory

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