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Pitt Rivers Museum

1916.36.267

Oval plaque of turtle shell.


1916.36.267

Digital asset copyright: Pitt Rivers Museum, University of Oxford

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Collection type
Object
Description
Oval plaque of turtle shell.
Geographical reference
Date / Period
Date made: Before 18/08/1915
Date collected
Between 29 March 1914 and 18 August 1915
Acquisition information
Donated: 1916
Materials and processes
Material Turtleshell Reptile, Process Carved
Dimensions
Width: max 121 mm, Length: max 322 mm
Object numbers
Accession number: 1916.36.267
Research and responses

Dr Jo Anne Van Tilburg and Christian Arevalo Pakarati (an Rapanui speaking artist from Easter Island) noted during a research visit on 26/2/2004 that the correct local Rapanui term for this object is 'honu tara', honu meaning turtle and tara meaning strength. [ZM 10/3/2004]

Please note that the Routledge's published account of their journey includes many specific object references, drawings, maps and photographs. Please refer to: Routledge, Mrs. [Katherine] Scoresby Routledge (1919) The Mystery of Easter Island: The Story of an Expedition. London: Sifton, Praed & Co. Ltd. [L.Ph 29/4/2004]

Please note that the unpublished field notes relating to this expedition are at the Royal Geographical Society. This information was found on p. 334 of the biography of Katherine Routledge (Pease): van Tilburg, Jo Anne (2003) Among Stone Giants: The Life of Katherine Routledge and her Remarkable Expedition to Easter Island. London: Scribner. [L.Ph 29/4/2004]

Search terms: Ornament, Breast Ornament, Waist Ornament