Tortoise shell snuff container with strands of twine extending from the top edge; twine decorated with beads made of plant fibre and ostrich egg shells. An apron-like cover, made of rabbit skin, is secured around the front of the tortoise shell. It is tied in place with straps knotted through holes drilled in the back of the shell. Additional straps remain loose. Hanging from the bottom edge of the rabbit skin are rows of alternating plant fibre and ostrich egg shell beads. Back of shell is uncovered; brown-red plant fibre is adhered to the back bottom edge. Interior of shell is stuffed with plant fibre.

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.

Part of an ornament (kapkap) made of tortoise shell. The carved shell ornament has four long points at bottom, above which are three diamond shapes with shorter points extending out from the sides. The ornament is tied, in multiple places, 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.

Shortly after Britain seized Jamaica from Spain in 1655, local workshops began manufacturing two uniquely Caribbean types of decorative art objects: costly tortoiseshell boxes and comb sets. These luxury goods were typically made for a British market as either souvenirs or exotic gifts from the islands. They were often engraved with Jamaica’s new coat of arms, which included an indigenous Arawak man and woman (see illustration), and evocations of the island’s abundant natural resources.


Poco después de que los ingleses incautaran Jamaica a España en 1655, los talleres locales comenzaron a producir dos tipos de objetos decorativos únicos del Caribe: costosas cajas de carey y juegos de peines. Estos bienes de lujo se fabricaban generalmente para el mercado británico como recuerdos de viajes o regalos exóticos de las islas. Frecuentemente se grababan con el nuevo escudo de armas de Jamaica, que incluía un hombre y una mujer indígenas arawak (ver ilustración) e ilustraciones de los abundantes recursos naturales de las islas.

Shortly after Britain seized Jamaica from Spain in 1655, local workshops began manufacturing two uniquely Caribbean types of decorative art objects: costly tortoiseshell boxes and comb sets. These luxury goods were typically made for a British market as either souvenirs or exotic gifts from the islands. They were often engraved with Jamaica’s new coat of arms, which included an indigenous Arawak man and woman (see illustration), and evocations of the island’s abundant natural resources.


Poco después de que los ingleses incautaran Jamaica a España en 1655, los talleres locales comenzaron a producir dos tipos de objetos decorativos únicos del Caribe: costosas cajas de carey y juegos de peines. Estos bienes de lujo se fabricaban generalmente para el mercado británico como recuerdos de viajes o regalos exóticos de las islas. Frecuentemente se grababan con el nuevo escudo de armas de Jamaica, que incluía un hombre y una mujer indígenas arawak (ver ilustración) e ilustraciones de los abundantes recursos naturales de las islas.

Money in the form of a coil of bark fibre with red scarlet honeyeater bird's feathers and pigeon feathers gummed to the bark. The feathers overlap like shingles. The money is in several parts: a) a segment with nearly all of the scarlet honeyeater feathers intact; b) coil of bark fibre with pigeon feathers attached; c) coil of bark fibre with pigeon feathers and remains of some scarlet honeyeater feathers attached; d) coil of bark fibre with pigeon feathers and remains of some scarlet honeyeater feathers attached; e) coil of bark fibre with pigeon feathers and remains of some scarlet honeyeater feathers attached; f) end segment of woven fibre and bark with a roughly square piece of tortoise (?) shell lashed to the bark and light grey Job's Tears seeds at the edge as well as a segment of braided bark strap; g) four pieces of coil.

Fish hook of three pieces that are held together with twined and braided cord. The main body is of light-coloured bone and has a flat piece of shell covering one of its sides. The third piece is an orange tortoise shell hook with a single barb that protrudes from the side opposite the shell.

A flat heart shape with a "v" shape cut through the centre. There is a hole pierced at the top, centre. The edges are sharp.

A rounded heart shape with a two fluke-like projections finial around the top that has a triangular hole cut through the middle.

A closing fan with ten ribs of black tortoise shell each having a stylized panel motif in gold, red, and white on a pink-orange background that has an elaborate lacey effect. The rotate-able handle is made of silver.