Carving Item Number: C189 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A large fragment of carving from the shell of a giant clam (Tridacna gigas). Geometric designs and human figures arranged in rows.
History Of Use
This plaque is funerary and is similar to plaques that have been kept in the burial shrines of important men.
Specific Techniques
The collector, Frank Burnett, believed this carving work must have been done using strips of bamboo, in lieu of a saw.
Narrative
According to the donor, Burnett, the carving was designed to represent human figures dancing. He wrote in his catalogue that, according to the locals, "these, combined, formed the ornamentation of a cave on Choisel, which, in ancient times, had evidently been used for sepulchral purposes." He also wrote that he knew of only "...two other pieces, not as large as this, one in the British Museum and the other in the Sydney Museum."
Item History
- Made in Choiseul, Solomon Islands before 1909
- Collected during 1909
- Owned by Frank Burnett before 1927
- Received from Frank Burnett (Donor) on July 25, 1927
What
- Name
- Carving
- Identification Number
- C189
- Type of Item
- carving
- Material
- clam shell
- Manufacturing Technique
- carved and pierced
- Overall
- height 23.3 cm, width 24.2 cm, depth 1.3 cm
Who
- Culture
- Solomon Islands
- Previous Owner
- Frank Burnett
- Received from
- Frank Burnett (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Choiseul, Solomon Islands
When
- Creation Date
- before 1909
- Collection Date
- during 1909
- Ownership Date
- before 1927
- Acquisition Date
- on July 25, 1927
Other
- Condition
- good
- Current Location
- Case 65
- Accession Number
- 2191/0597