10 opercula of shells. [LM 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 1/8/2005]

Collection type: Object
Description: 10 opercula of shells. [LM 'DCF 2004-2006 What's Upstairs?' 1/8/2005]
Long description: 10 opercula of shells. Stored in a small box. Each operculum is cream-coloured and rounded on one side, with a brown striated flat surface on the other. [CAK 23/06/2009]
Geographical reference: Canada
Northern America > North America > Canada; British Columbia Queen Charlotte Islands (Haida Gwaii) Cumshewa Inlet
Cultural groups: Haida
Person: Field collector Charles Harrison; PRM source Charles Harrison
Date / Period: Date made: Before 1924
Date collected: By 1924
Acquisition information: Donated: 1924
Materials and processes: Material Operculum Shell
Dimensions: Length: max 15 mm
Object numbers: Accession number: 1924.33.16
Research and responses: Opercula are often used to decorate bentwood boxes and grease dishes, or used as teeth on masks. [CAK 23/06/2009]
The following information comes from Haida delegates who worked with the museum’s collection in September 2009 as part of the project “Haida Material Culture in British Museums: Generating New Forms of Knowledge”:
The opercula were viewed with items of personal adornment on Friday Sept 11, 2009. Gaahlaay (Lonnie Young) explained that these are snail shells. They are found stuck to rocks. Much larger ones exist and are also eaten. [CAK 17/05/2010]

Search