Ornament Item Number: 3121/2 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Part of a forehead ornament (kapkap) made of tortoise shell. The carved shell ornament has four long points at bottom, with two holes bored through the shell at centre above, and three spines supporting a series of open triangles. The ornament is tied, at multiple points, by cotton thread onto the back of a trimmed postcard. The image on the front of the postcard shows a black and white photo of the Benin Gallery of the Cranmore Ethnographical Museum.
History Of Use
The ornamental design piece for a 'kapkap'. Kapkaps were originally said to have been worn on the forehead by a warrior. Later they became a form of currency in inter-island trade.
Item History
- Made in Solomon Islands before 1939
- Owned by Harry G. Beasley before 1939
- Owned by Alan R. Sawyer before 2002
- Owned by Carol Sawyer, Brian Sawyer, Dana Sawyer, Diane Sawyer and Lynn Thompson before July 15, 2015
- Received from Carol Sawyer (Donor), Lynn Thompson (Donor), Brian Sawyer (Donor), Diane Sawyer (Donor) and Dana Sawyer (Donor) on July 15, 2015
What
- Name
- Ornament
- Identification Number
- 3121/2
- Type of Item
- ornament
- Material
- tortoise shell, paper and cotton fibre
- Overall
- height 13.7 cm, width 8.8 cm
Who
- Culture
- Solomon Islands
- Previous Owner
- Harry G. Beasley, Alan R. Sawyer, Carol Sawyer, Brian Sawyer, Dana Sawyer, Diane Sawyer and Lynn Thompson
- Received from
- Carol Sawyer (Donor), Lynn Thompson (Donor), Brian Sawyer (Donor), Diane Sawyer (Donor) and Dana Sawyer (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Solomon Islands
When
- Creation Date
- before 1939
- Ownership Date
- before 1939, before 2002, and before July 15, 2015
- Acquisition Date
- on July 15, 2015
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3121/0002