Object Number: E4513

Collection: World Cultures

Object Name: Personal Ornament

Description: Thick white shell disc with dark cut out design inserted in. This design is made of tortoiseshell and is said to be a stylised form of a frigate bird. Yet, there are several parts to this cut-out design. 4 pieces shaped like boiled sweets wrappers lie on top of each other from the outer edge of the shell inwards. Then there lies another piece of a similar shape, but with longer "tails". Attached to this piece is what might be the bird.(?). A hole is in the middle of the shell disc, through which twisted fibre cord is wound through 3 times and knotted off at the outer edge of the shell.