Shell disk necklace

Date Uploaded: 3 Mar 2011

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These shell disks were originally woven together with (human?) hair, after I spent time moving around the tropics the hair disintegrated and I saved the shells. In their original pattern the smaller disks were overlapping and on top of the larger disks, in some instances you can still see the mark of their place. It was tightly woven and all the small disks overlapped each other on top of the - I think also overlapping - larger disks, to make a close fitting necklace - which I never wore, the power in this piece was not for casual wearing, anyone could have seen that. I kept it carefully but the environmental conditions in far north Queensland were just too hot and wet and full of creatures to preserve it (and 25 years ago I had no idea about how to manage this better!). I have never seen a necklace like this one, and don't know if it's pacific or Australian indigenous. The uniform shape of the disks and the drill holes may mean post colonial contact and tools of creation, the hair weave that held them together indicates an object made for significant use by the maker/family or someone else in their circle? Love to hear from anyone who might know?