Bracelet (poepoe/Job's tears)

Rings, bracelets, combs and brooches are popular forms of personal adornment made throughout the Pacific region for ceremonial purposes but also commercial markets such as tourism. They are typically made of sea shells and seeds, the pliable turtle shell, coconut shell, coloured glass and plastics.

Significance

This bracelet is from Rarotonga in the Cook Islands. It comprises of an unclasped string of hard, grey, oval shaped seeds known as Job’s-tears (also known as Adlay or Adlay millet). The bracelet was made in the early 2000s and the seeds are from the taro swamps of Rarotonga. It is an example of what local artisans were creating for local and tourist markets in the early 21st century.

Acquisition history

The bracelet was collected by curator and poet Jean T. Chapman-Mason (Cook Islands/English). She donated to Te Papa in 2017.