This eBAY sale is interesting in various ways. The evidence for these shells being all that is claimed for them is very strong. It is noteworthy that
'Aboriginality' is not invoked directly albeit that by implication it is with the use the name
'maireener'. Again, it is interesting how this Tasmanian Aboriginal word has won currency on eBAY. The
'exotic otherness' would seem to be at work here in adding value to a group of shells that might otherwise be discarded given their condition.
Was this necklace made by a Tasmanian Aboriginal maker? As yet it seems that there is no way of knowing –
and it does seem that these shells were once a part of a 'necklace'. But perhaps here this is not quite the most interesting question to be asked. Rather we might ask, was it the shells' inherent pearlescent lustre that is
'the attractor' or is it the latent
'Tasmanian stories' that are invoked, and carried by the shells, that is the point? Indeed, to what extent might these stories be known in California where this sale originates
– overtly or subliminally.
This eBAY sale is interesting in various ways. The evidence for these shells being all that is claimed for them is very strong. It is noteworthy that 'Aboriginality' is not invoked directly albeit that by implication it is with the use the name 'maireener'. Again, it is interesting how this Tasmanian Aboriginal word has won currency on eBAY. The 'exotic otherness' would seem to be at work here in adding value to a group of shells that might otherwise be discarded given their condition. 
Was this necklace made by a Tasmanian Aboriginal maker? As yet it seems that there is no way of knowing – and it does seem that these shells were once a part of a 'necklace'. But perhaps here this is not quite the most interesting question to be asked. Rather we might ask, was it the shells' inherent pearlescent lustre that is 'the attractor' or is it the latent 'Tasmanian stories' that are invoked, and carried by the shells, that is the point? Indeed, to what extent might these stories be known in California where this sale originates – overtly or subliminally.
1 comment:
It is worth noting that 13 Dec, 2009 @ 15:20:56 AEDST on the 9th bid a buyer paid US$39.33 OR approx.AU$43.15
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