ear-weight
- Museum number
- Oc1906,1013.1687
- Description
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Three large n-shape carved wooden weights, each of different wood, two bulbous in shape and one flat with squared ends. One bulbous weight has low-relief v-shape on one side with linear incision running horizontally, and three further linear incisions on opposing side. Further red-brown seed with top lateral opening surrounded by two incised lines. Tied together at centre with red and purple stained cotton ribbon and twisted plant fibre cord, which passes through circular perforation at top of seed. Together objects produce clanking sound.
- Production date
- 19thC-20thC(early)
- Dimensions
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Diameter: 3.80 centimetres (oval pod)
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Length: 20 centimetres (whole object laid flat)
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Length: 6.30 centimetres (wooden 'n' max)
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Width: 11.30 centimetres (whole object laid flat)
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Width: 8 centimetres (wooden 'n' max)
- Curator's comments
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Tied-on metal rimmed handwritten British Museum label:
New Guinea /Papua/ [W]
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Provenance of Western Province assigned by BM based upon style, see Haddon (1912: 11) for reference to Fly River Delta and descriptions by Landtman (1927: 25, 235). Described in BM register as wooden charms. However, these objects appear consistent with ear weights from Torres Strait described by Alfred Cort Haddon (1912: 11-2) who notes 'Perfectly similar ear-weights are employed at the mouth of the Fly River'.
Comment by Heather Donoghue, Ph.D candidate, UEA, 2020.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition date
- 1906
- Acquisition notes
- Acquired during the Daniels Ethnographical Expedition to British New Guinea 1903-1904.
- Department
- Africa, Oceania and the Americas
- Registration number
- Oc1906,1013.1687