Necklace

Maker & role
Unknown, Maker
 Production date
1860-1880
 See full details

Object detail

Production place
TAS/Australia
Collection
Rouse Hill Estate
Measurements
shell, H: 1.5 x W: 0.7cm (H: 15 x W: 7mm); necklace, L: 170cm (L: 1700mm)
Credit line
Gift, NSW Department of Planning and Environment, 1987
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Rouse Hill Estate Collection, Museums of History New South Wales
Description
A colourful Peak Frean's biscuit tin houses two beautiful mareener shell necklaces that were thought to have been given to Nina and Kathleen Rouse by their great aunt Jane Kennerley (nee Rouse) when they were young girls. Jane lived in Tasmania and her husband Alfred, became premier of Tasmania in 1873. The opalescent necklaces, 1.7 and 2 metres long, are fine examples of the traditional work of Palawa women of Eastern Tasmania. The way they are pierced so they sit at 45' to the string is a distinguishing feature of these necklaces. Palawa women harvest, clean, polish and string the approximately 400 shells to create each exquisite necklace, still treasured today.
Accession number
R93/71-3

Share

My shortlist

Maker

Object name

Subject

Media / Materials

Explore other objects by colour

Public comments

Be the first to comment on this object record.

Google reCaptchaThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.