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Te mwae

human history
  • Other Name

    Neck ornament

    Te Mwae

    Te mwae Teimoone

  • Description

    Te mwae. Neck ornament. This te mwae (Neck ornament) is made up of three material components: te kora (coconut sennit fibre), coconut shell and conus shell. A pale brown two-ply cord of kora has been used as the band to thread circular discs of sea shell and coconut shell. The circular discs are small in circumference, thin in depth and have been drilled or cut from a larger piece. A central perforation has been drilled for threading onto the fibrous band.

    The sequence of shell discs are patterned, alternating between an off-white conus shell disc then a mid to dark brown coconut shell disc. Some segments of te mwae show where two coconut shell discs have been threaded together. The patterned sequence has been repeated across the Neck ornament entirely. Te mwae is unfastened. A loose kora is visible where a knot has been made to prevent the discs from moving and then another knot at the end of the kora to prevent the pinnules coming loose. The other end of te mwae shows a stubbed knot of te kora. The discs are similar in diameter and depth with some discs showing.

  • Place
  • Accession Number
    1940.3
  • Accession Date
    1940
  • Other Id

    25190.5 (ethnology)

  • Department
Te mwae; 1940.3; 25190.5; Cultural Permissions Apply

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