armlet
- Museum number
- Oc,M.333
- Description
-
Armlet, known as mwali, made of a naturally overlapping ring of carved and polished conus shell. The outer end has drilled holes to which a cluster of black glass beads is attached with fibre. From this depend four strings of glass beads, one with three white beads. Another has an attached cockle shell. Pandanus leaf attachment missing?
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 6.50 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- This type of object is known as mwali and is part of the kula exchange in the Trobriand Islands.
In a long standing tradition, men trade shell valuables such as necklaces and armbands along specific pathways. The reputation of each trader is determined and sustained through this network. A man’s status in his community is maintained through this exchange system.
- Location
- Not on display
- Exhibition history
-
2019 12 Mar-7 Jul, Paris, Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Oceania
2018 18 Sep-9 Dec, London, Royal Academy of Arts, Oceania
- Acquisition date
- 1922
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc,M.333
- Additional IDs
-
CDMS number: Oc1922C11.333 (old CDMS no.)
