Necklace

Necklaces are an essential part of many Pacific cultures, they are often used as part of dance costumes, given as gifts or worn for special occasions. They are made from a variety of natural products such as fresh leaves, scented flowers, fruit, seeds, shells, and whales' teeth, threaded together in various combinations.

Significance

This necklace was made in Tahiti in the Society Islands of French Polynesia. The maker has crafted it from braided purple synthetic fibre decorated with a single rosette of seven petals made from pearlshell with purple cowrie shell orange shell centre. The necklace is fastened with a clasp made from a white cowrie shell.

Acquisition history

The necklace was purchased in Tahiti in 2005 and offered as a gift to Te Papa in 2017 by curator and poet Jean T. Chapman-Mason (Cook Islands/English).