Necklace Item Number: A8130 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Necklace strung with dentalium shells and glass beads. The dentalium shells are strung in pairs, doubled side by side. They are followed by one or two blue beads, then several smaller clear glass beads, and then one or two of the larger blue beads. The glass beds are strung in a single row.

History Of Use

This necklace is made from two types of trade items. Dentalia shells were traded extensively throughout the Pacific Northwest prior to European contact and appear in the archaeological record, spanning back several millenia. Blue glass and other trade beads became popular items of exchange after contact with Europeans. Anthropologist Homer Barnett notes that traditionally: "body ornaments were not worn as part of everyday dress. They were expensive and so were reserved for ceremonial occasions (1955:76)."

Cultural Context

trade; ceremonial