Pendant

Pearl shell pendant. No designs have been engraved but there is a hole pierced at the top for a hair string belt. Made in the Kimberly region of NW Australia. Traded widely inland where its form and meaning differ. Shell is normally broken down into shapes and traded. It has a name ‘riji’ which means pearl. The ‘jakuli’ was worn by men around the waist or the neck. Associated with the water essence of life, and embodies shimmering qualities of water rain and lightning.

Object Summary

Accession Loan No.
33/1953/47
Category
Ethnography
Collection Class
Personal ornament
Material
shell (pearl)
Common Name
pendant
Simple Name
ornament
Production County
Kimberly
Production Country
Australia

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shell pendant