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Te bwaeao

human history
  • Other Name

    Pearl shell (English)

  • Description

    A large bwaeao (pearl shell) used to fashion fish hooks and kaneati (lure). The exterior is of a mottled grey colour with rough edges. A great amount of incrustation is fixed on the exterior. The interior is of a lustre colour that gradually becomes purple towards the edge. An imprint of where the meat was attached is faintly visible. There are missing elements from the hinge line. The cross-section is somewhat of a crescentic form.

    The bwaeao can be used to cut out both itikurere (shaft) and hook.

  • Place
    Beru/Gilbert Islands/Kiribati
  • Accession Number
    1936.295
  • Accession Date
    1936
  • Other Id

    24033 (ethnology)

    67 (Maude Collection)

  • Department

    Pacific

Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply

Images and documents

Images

  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Te bwaeao, 1936.295, 24033, 67, Cultural Permissions Apply
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