{"product_id":"victorian-iridescent-maireener-shell-necklace","title":"Victorian Iridescent Maireener Shell Necklace","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan data-sheets-root=\"1\"\u003eAn antique Tasmanian necklace strung with iridescent white\/pink Maireener shells. This one dates from the first half of the 19th century, but these necklaces have been made by the Palawa people (\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eTasmanian Aboriginal) for over 1800 years. Reserved for women, the collecting and stringing of Maireener shell necklaces forms an important part of the Palawa culture heritage. From \u003cem\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.utas.edu.au\/library\/companion_to_tasmanian_history\/S\/Shell%20necklaces.htm#:~:text=The%20necklet%2C%20comprising%2032%20king,ownership'%20of%20the%20cultural%20tradition.\"\u003eThe Companion to Tasmanian History\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"It is important to acknowledge the Aboriginal women who continue the ancient tradition of collecting, processing and stringing shells into delicate and intricate patterns, handed down through many generations from mother, Auntie, sister and daughter.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"Making shell necklaces has always been the role of women, and today women stringers still have 'ownership' of the cultural tradition. Women had and have the knowledge of where and when to collect the shells, in places such as Bruny Island, Robbins Island, the coastline around Woolnorth, the north-east coast and on beaches around Bass Strait islands, usually between June and March. Strings of shells were of great value, used as items of trade or to enable collection of the sacred red ochre used in rituals. The collection and distribution of ochre was also the role of women.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePrior to the invasion of white settlers at the turn of the 19th century, such necklaces were made to be worn on the head or close around the neck or around the arm - no more than 15 or 16 inches in length - and the shells were strung on kangaroo fibre string. Around 30 years after the invasion, however, the tradition began to change with far longer necklaces like this one being produced. The adoption of cotton thread and metal needles, new technologies brought by the English, as well as a change to the patterns of hunting and trading, meant longer necklaces became more wearable (and could command a higher price at market.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"A Duterreau portrait of the Bruny Island leader Woorady in 1834 depicts this powerful warrior wearing a string of three rows of small, shining shells around his neck...In 1837–38 at Thursday markets at Wybalenna on Flinders Island, Aborigines sold shell necklaces to Europeans and sent necklaces and salted muttonbirds to sell in Launceston. On nearby Cape Barren Island women continued their mothers' traditions such as stringing shell necklaces, combing the beaches with great care to select the shells.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEra: Early Victorian, circa 1840\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStones: Maireener Shells\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLength: 15.25 inches\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarks: None, clasp tests as base metal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCondition: Good antique condition; clasp likely a later addition.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Lost Heirloom","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53802716823864,"sku":"LO3285","price":375.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0555\/7387\/2952\/files\/victorian-iridescent-maireener-shell-necklace-1069238.jpg?v=1794646696","url":"https:\/\/lostowl.com\/products\/victorian-iridescent-maireener-shell-necklace","provider":"Lost Owl Jewelry","version":"1.0","type":"link"}