Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
Micronesia
Circa 1900
Pearl shell with plant fiber cord
25 inches (63.5 cm) length
Provenance: Cecil Francis Lacon Watson, R.N. (1873 to 1940)
A continuous course of pearl shell plates, each ground to a rounded shield form and pierced with two holes, lashed together with twisted plant fiber cord so that each plate overlaps the one beside it. The shell ranges from white with strong iridescence through grey, tan, and a warm pinkish brown, and several plates retain the natural curve of the shell wall. Ornaments of this kind were worn across the chest in the Gilbert Islands, where pearl shell was worked into personal ornament alongside fishhooks, lures, and cutting tools
Cecil Francis Lacon Watson (1873 to 1940) entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman in 1888, was promoted lieutenant in 1894, commander in 1907, and captain in 1923. His service record places him aboard H.M.S. Pylades, a Satellite class composite screw sloop attached to the Australia Station, from February 1899 until April 1902. During that commission he was commended by Captain Tupper for his work carrying out surveys of the Gilbert Islands. The necklace was collected during that period, which places its acquisition in the islands between 1899 and 1902.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
Gilbert Islands, Kiribati
Micronesia
Circa 1900
Pearl shell with plant fiber cord
25 inches (63.5 cm) length
Provenance: Cecil Francis Lacon Watson, R.N. (1873 to 1940)
A continuous course of pearl shell plates, each ground to a rounded shield form and pierced with two holes, lashed together with twisted plant fiber cord so that each plate overlaps the one beside it. The shell ranges from white with strong iridescence through grey, tan, and a warm pinkish brown, and several plates retain the natural curve of the shell wall. Ornaments of this kind were worn across the chest in the Gilbert Islands, where pearl shell was worked into personal ornament alongside fishhooks, lures, and cutting tools
Cecil Francis Lacon Watson (1873 to 1940) entered the Royal Navy as a midshipman in 1888, was promoted lieutenant in 1894, commander in 1907, and captain in 1923. His service record places him aboard H.M.S. Pylades, a Satellite class composite screw sloop attached to the Australia Station, from February 1899 until April 1902. During that commission he was commended by Captain Tupper for his work carrying out surveys of the Gilbert Islands. The necklace was collected during that period, which places its acquisition in the islands between 1899 and 1902.
We ship free anywhere in the world, fully insured, packed by hand.
