Maireener Found On The Internet – Australia 3052, Vic.

ONLINE AUCTION – SELLERS DESCRIPTION:

• Beautiful old set of Tasmanian aboriginal shell necklace.
• Double threaded on cotton.
• 4 Strands in all.
• One strand is loose,
• Necklace is 42cms long.
• Old clasp style.
• Shells have a vibrant colour and have a purple tinge.

Auction
Start Time: 13 May. 2009 12:25:17
End Time 20 May. 2009 12:25:17
Status Closed
Reserve Price Not Met

On the balance of probability this piece is less likely to of Aboriginal production and more likely to be of either 'colonial' production – M M Martin – or by Bertie May post WW2. The clasp tends to suggest non-Aboriginal production – BUT it may well have been restrung at some time. If there is no clear provenance to establish 'Aboriginal Authenticity', and there may be, authenticity must be regarded as being ambiguous in light of unfolding evidence concerning these necklaces.

INTERNET FIND – Tasmanian Maireener Shell Necklaces

LEFT NECKLACE: The seller described this necklace as being an "Antique Aboriginal Tasmanian Maireener Shell Necklace ... Lustrous. ... Irridescent Neon Opal Grey Pink Shells. circa early 1900s. Measures 48 in. Length. Tiny Shells measure 1/4 in. each. Overall preserved nicely few shells have holes"

RIGHT NECKLACE: The seller described this necklace as being an "Antique Aboriginal Tasmanian Maireener Shell Necklace ... very old lustrous irridescent green, blue shell, from around 1900 ... Measures 70 inch length ... Tiny shells measure 1/4 in. each ... Condition very good except for a few shells have some holes ... a very beautiful piece"

AN OBSERVATION: It is interesting how it seems that these necklaces seem to be coming to light via the USA – Hawaii ? – and sometime in the context of them being described as a ‘lei’ and the ‘acquisition’ of a lei as “ the getting of my shells”. There seems to be some connecting points here between ‘Hawaiian traditions’ leis and maireener shells – and possiblly between the Martin family's branch enterprise in Honolulu as well(?).

NOT MAIREENERS – Leis From Hawaii

Clearly these shells are NOT Tasmanian 'maireener' shells albeit that they are described as such. Nevertheless, they are a part of an important indigenous Hawaiian cultural practice which in many ways parallels Tasmanian shell necklace making.

The "HAWAIIAN" cum "TASMANIAN MAIREENER SHELL" lei/necklace confusion is perhaps understandable but here it might be more to do with 'catching a buyer' than being correct. However, many 'traditional leis' including shells like these continue to command prices exceeding top end Tasmanian shell necklaces – Aboriginal production or non-Aboriginal production.

NB: the pink necklace is almost certainly dyed

CLICK HERE FOR A LINK ON LEI MAKING

Found Via eBAY: Maireener Shell Necklace – USA

Yet again AUTHENTICITY arises and yes the shells are:

• maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells;
• the shells are relatively mature shells;
• most probably from Tasmanian waters;
• natural shells found in Tasmanian waters – BUT this necklace has almost certainly been dyed;
• used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT this necklace may well not be an authentic Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural product as it was not common, if at all, for Aboriginal makers to dye their shells ;
• typical of the kind of necklace known as 'Hobart Neckclaces' – this necklace may indeed be such a necklace ;
• typical of the kind shells found in necklaces thought to have been made by Bertie May or even M M Martin – both non-Aboriginal makers Martins, 1875 to 1930s?, Bertie May, late 1940s - 1960s? and Bertie May was known to dye his necklaces.
  

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

Found On The Internet – A Research Tool

This is an indication as to how "maireener" – a Tasmanian Aboriginal word – has gained its currency in the wider international community and especially among those who deal in 'collectibles'.

CLICK HERE TO GO TO THE SOURCE

Found On The Internet – NOT Tasmanian or Tasmaniana

Yet again the AUTHENTICITY issue arises and NO the shells are:

• NOT maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells;
• NOT from Tasmanian waters – and this necklace has almost certainly been dyed;
• NOT used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT there are some that are almost like these BUT NOT maireener shells;
• possibly the kind of shells F C Martin, son of M M Martin – non-Aboriginal Tasmanian colonial makers 1875 to 1930s? – might have been trading in as a part of the Martin's Honolulu enterprise;
  

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

Found On The Internet – Tasmanian Authenticity

Yet again AUTHENTICITY arises and yes the shells are:

• maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells;
• the shells are relatively mature shells;
• most probably from Tasmanian waters;
• natural shells found in Tasmanian waters – BUT this necklace has most likely been dyed albeit not definitely assessable unless a physical inspection was possible;
• used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT this necklace may well not be authentically Aboriginal as this was not commonly done by these makers if at all ;
• typical of the kind of necklace known as 'Hobart Neckclaces';
• typical of the kind shells found in necklaces thought to have been made by Bertie May or even M M Martin – both non-Aboriginal makers Martins, 1875 to 1930s?, Bertie May, late 1940s - 1960s? and Bertie May was known to dye his necklaces.
  

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

Found On The Internet – Tasmanian Authenticity

Again the question of AUTHENTICITY arises in regard to these necklaces. Clearly the shells are:

• maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells – one may not be but it is obscured by other shells;
• the shells are relatively mature shells;
• on the balance of probably they were collected in Tasmanian waters;
• natural shells found in Tasmanian waters – BUT clearly this necklace has been dyed;
• used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT this necklace may well not be authentically Aboriginal, see the clasp ;
• typical of the kind of necklace that MAY have also been known a 'Hobart Necklace';
• typical of the kind shells found in necklaces thought to have been made by Bertie May or even M M Martin – both non-Aboriginal makers Martins, 1875 to 1930s?, Bertie May, late 1940s - 1960s? and him most likely.
  

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

Found On The Internet – Tasmanian Authenticity

The ever present question of AUTHENTICITY arises when necklaces like this one pop up. Yes the shells are:

• maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells;
• the shells are relatively mature shells;
• most probably from Tasmanian waters;
• natural shells found in Tasmanian waters;
• used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT this necklace may well not be an authentic Aboriginal necklace, see the clasp ;
• typical of the kind of necklace known as 'Hobart Neckclaces';
• typical of the kind shells found in necklaces thought to have been made by Bertie May or even M M Martin – both non-Aboriginal makers Martins, 1875 to 1930s?, Bertie May, late 1940s - 1960s?

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

Found On The Internet – Tasmanian Authenticity

The question of AUTHENTICITY arises when you see things like this. Yes the shells are:

• maireener, Rainbow Kelp, Phasianotrochus irisodontes, shells – one may not be but it is obscured by other shells;
• a mixture of juvenile and more mature shells;
• most probably from Tasmanian waters;
• natural shells found in Tasmanian waters – BUT these are dyed in many/most instances;
• used by Aboriginal necklace makers in Tasmania – BUT dying in this way is NOT typical of Tasmanian Aboriginal shell necklace making practice, if at all;
• typical of the shells found in necklaces thought to have been made by Bertie May or even M M Martin – both non-Aboriginal makers Martins, 1875 to 1930s?, Bertie May, late 1940s - 1960s?.

For notes on Aboriginal shell necklace making in Tasmania – CLICK HERE

CLICK HERE TO CHECK OUT WORTHpoint & WORTHopedia

eBAY Find – Maireener Necklace(?) USA

It is interesting that the seller describes the necklace as being "Aboriginal" and of "maireener shells". There is increasing evidence that such necklaces are NOT BY NECESSITY of 'Aboriginal production.' In fact this necklace is as likely to be:

• A 'Hobart Necklace' – made in Hobart anytime between 1875 & the 1960s?
• A 'Hobart Necklace' made by M M Martin Hobart & Honolulu (1875 – 1930s?) or Bertie May Hobart (1940s to 1960s) neither of which were Aboriginal.

It is possible that this necklace is of Aboriginal production. However, there is mounting evidence that 'Hobart Necklaces' were made in large quantities between 1875 and the 1960s in Tasmania and exported internationally. Watch this space for the unfolding evidence.

Found on RUBYlane – USA

Found on www.rubylane.com

eBAY Find – Maireener Necklace(?) USA

eBAY ITEM: No. 250410206595
Seller's Code: judah-ok ( 1617) 100%
CLICK HERE to visit seller's eBAY Store
Item Location: Lawrence, Kansas, United States
Seller Posts to: Worldwide
History: 1 offer @ 13.09.2009 10:35 (EST)

Seller's Description: "This is an original creation incorporating select tiny & rare Pacific Island Maireener Shells [1] - [2] & tiny irridescent glass seedbeads for embellishment of the violet colored cotton thread treasure bag.. This Tropical [3] Treasure of a shell is amoung the smallest collected & drilled. The neck pouch, trinket or medicine bag, has been recently made by myself & is new, clean, with no odors or previous owner. No broken shells.. The soft neck strap measures 28 inches and the pouch is 2.5 inches long with an opening that expands to a 3" diam. with 2 tasseled drawstrings ....." ..... [1: Tasmania is not in the Pacific and lies between the Tasman Sea to the East & The Indian Ocean to the West] ... [2: "maireener" is the Tasmanian Aboriginal name for the kelp shells in this object and it sometimes is used to describe necklaces made from them as well] ... [3: If Tasmania is being invoked here Tasmania lies within the Temperate Zone @ 42° South]

Tasmanian Necklace Shells – Aboriginal Collectors

The following shells are those used by Tasmanian Aboriginal necklace makers who are licenced by the Tasmanian Government to collect the live shellfish for necklace making.

SCHEDULE 4 – PRESCRIBED FISH FOR DEFINITION OF ABORIGINAL ACTIVITY

Regulation 22 Click here to go to the Act

Shellfish

Common or used name ... Scientific name

1. Banded or Silver Kelp shell ... Bankivia fasciata

2. Banded Periwinkle or Blue and Brown Gulls ... Nodilittorina unifasciata

3. Black Nerite or Black Crow ... Nerita atramentosa

4. Buckies, Pheasant shellor Painted Lady ... Phasianella australis

5. Cats’ teeth or Estuarine Mud Whelk shell ... Batillariella estuarina

6. Cats’ teeth or Variegated and Lined ... Rissoina Rissoina lintea

7. Cats’ teeth or Variegated ... Rissoina Rissoina variegata

8. Conniwink or Dark and YellowButtons ... Bembicium melanostomum

9. Gold-mouth Conniwink ... Bembicium auratum

10. Jewelled Top shell ... Calliostoma armillata

11. King Maireener or Choice Sea-weed shell ... Phasianotrochus eximius

12. Maireener (Pink-tipped Kelp shell) ... Phasianotrochus apicinus

13. Maireener (Rainbow Kelp shell) ... Phasianotrochus irisodontes

14. Mud Whelk shell ... Zeacumantus diemenensis

15. Oat or Dove shells ... Mitrella spp.

16. Otherside Penguins or Pygmy Margin shell ... Mesoginella pygmaeoides

17. Penguin ... Austroginella muscaria

18. Rice or Rye shell ... Truncatella scalarina

19. Striped Dog Whelk ... Nassarius pauperatus

20. Striped-mouth Conniwink or Striped Buttons ... Bembicium nanum

21. Toothies or Toosies ... Marinula xanthostoma

22. Top shell ... Clanculus dunkeri

23. Wedge shell ... Paphies cuneata

24. White Dog Whelk ... Nassarius nigellus

TASMANIAN SHELLS SURVEY CLICK HERE

Tasmanian Shell Necklaces in Paris 1855

Hobart Mercury Tuesday 24 July 1855 NB: Text digitally recovered and only partly corrected
TASMANIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO PARIS 1855 Nor. I.

UNLIKE: the Sydney Catalogue, which comprises the list and description of tho articles, many of which were forwarded for local exhibition only, and not for transmission to Paris, -and hence the difficulty of instituting a fair comparison,-tho Tasmanian Catalogue only embraces the contributions of products which were actually forwarded to the Exposition.... The number of Tasmanian exhibitors was 90, and the various pioduct* transmitted, according to the gioup and class arrangements,were as follows :1st Group, Class I.-Mining and Metallurgical Products. " - Cla« TI,-ivory thing relatingtothe Management of Trees, to Hunting, Shooting, and Products obtained without cultivation-Mineral.Vegetable.'Amina!, Agriculture. VI.-Machinery and Apparatus for Work- shops." X.-Chemical Manipulalotions, Dyeing and Printing, Paper, Leather, Skins, India Rubber, &c.
1st Group, Class II.-'Preparation and preservation of Alimentary Substances.
Class X11.-Hygiene,Pliai niacy,Surgery, and Medicine.
Class XVI.-Works in Metal.
Class X VII-Goldsmitli'sWork,Jewellery, &c.
Class XX.-Woollen & WorstedManufactures.
Class XXII.-Flax and Hemp'Manufactures.
Class XXIII.-Mercery, Hosiery, Carpets, Embroidery, &c. &e.
7th Group, Class XXIV.-Pioiiitcts of Industry, - Industry applied to Furniture and Decollations,
1st Group, Class XXVI.-Drawing andModelling, Letterpress and Copper plate Printing ana Photography.
Class XXVIII.-Painting, Engraving, ami Lithography.
And a few Miscellaneous Articles, consisting^ of a bundle of broad paling, contributed by Mr. John Abbott, six billiard CUPS by Sir William Denison, a churn of Huon Pine and Wattlewood by Mr. T. I, .fennings, five brushes of Colonial Manufacture by the Executive Committee, and eight necklaces of shell, prepared and worn by the Aborigines of Tasmania, as ornaments round their neck U""A e"pT6poVlí"a,tutting opportunities to wade through the Catalogue, and in a succession of notices to bring these contr¡butions under the attention of our readers, as a nieass of directing their enterprise to the successful prosecution of their duty in developing the resources of the colony,

Butterfield Shells Identified

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

ZOOLOGY OPINION: [The necklace shells] "are definitely not maireeners ... they are mostly a combination of the mud creeper Batillariidae Batillariella estuarina, which are plentiful on mudflats and have been used by the Tasmanian Aboriginal women in necklaces. They appear to be this species by the narrow length, obvious sutures between whorls, and the fact that many seem to have broken sides on their whorls, which is a common occurrence in this species when one finds them dead on the mudflats, though this could have happened while stringing or handling over time. The species used to be called Eubittium lawleyianum and was placed in the Cerithiidae family. More or less alternate specimens in the necklace seem to be wider and have less obvious sutures. They may be Rissoidae Rissoina variegata or, more likely, juvenile Cerithiidae Cacozeliana granaria. I would be able to be more certain if I could see their apertures, but this is not the case.

There is no probably no way of knowing if this necklace was made by A. Butterfield or one of the Aboriginal women. One thing that makes me wonder if it is the former is because the contemporary makers only use live shells, and women 100 years ago possibly would not have used damaged specimens either. Of course, wear and tear since may have caused the broken whorls. There seems to be less damage with the wider species which would be consistent with C. granaria as this species has a thicker shell than B. estuarina."

L Turner – TMAG

Newspaper Advertisement –1873 Hobart

From Hobart to Honolulu; the Tasmanian shell necklace trade

THE ABC IN HOBART JOINS IN
Click her to link to the ABC story

CALL FOR INFORMATION – Tasmanian Shell Necklaces

SNRN (Shell Necklace Research Network) is seeking information from within the Tasmanian community and further afield in regard to:

1. Any information at all in regard to 19th Century colonial and early 20th Century shell necklace making in Tasmania;

2. To complement the information available in regard to ABORIGINAL makers, the SNRN is looking for information about NON-ABORIGINAL makers in Tasmania such as:

• Arthur Robert Butterfield – watchmaker, jeweller and optician at 51 Elizabeth Street, Hobart circa 1898 – click here for more information;
  
• Mrs Mary Maria Martin (MM The Senior & nee Alexander of L’ton) and specifically information about her Factory(?) at 65 Cascade Road, Hobart – 1875 … shop(?) at 75 Collins Street Hobart from about 1906 until 1908 – her husband Thomas Daniel was reported ass being a tanner? ... M M Martin (MM The Senior) died 1924 aged 79
• Frederick Charles Martin (MM’s son) who it seems ran a branch factory in Honolulu, Hawaii – dates unknown;
• J J Martin (Joseph John & MM’s son) was a jeweller at 83 Collins Street Hobart and possibly in Zeehan at sometime;
• 'Bertie' J May, travel goods and souvenir manufacturer (jewellery & shell necklaces?) – Hobart cica 1946, 1948
• Mary May Martin (MM The Younger) and Ellen Martin who in 1927 were trading as M M Martin & Co, shell manufacturers – Mary May Martin (MM The Younger) died – 13 Nov. 1933, aged 51 – Ellen Ida Martin died in August 1969 and seems Ida had continued to trade until 1948 and possibly into the 1950s;
• Miss Stewart who had a jewellery shop on Brisbane St. in Launceston and it seems she traded in shell necklaces into the 1950s along with other businesses on or near Brisbane St.
  

3. To identifying collectors and collections of shell necklaces in Tasmania and elsewhere outside the TMAG, QVMAG and other public collections throughout Australia.

Very little is known about the people making shell necklaces in Tasmania in the 19th C and early 20th C and less is known about their necklace making. However, it seems that given the scale of production that these makers seemed to be involved in, Tasmanian shell necklaces coming to light at auctions, estate clearances and more recently on eBAY, are quite likely to have been made by a non-Aboriginal maker – 1880 – 1950s(?).

Interesting Information:

• It seems that shell necklaces made in Tasmania/Hobart were marketed internationally(?) as “Hobart Necklaces” – possibly this was the basis of ‘The Martin Family’s enterprise??
• The ‘maireneer’ shells (misunderstood as mariner of seaman connections) are being described as that on eBay currently and somewhat surprisingly. They have been known as that in the wider Tasmanian community for about 10 years but not so widely. However, it is a word that has never lost its currency in the Aboriginal community;
  
• It seems that some people in Tasmania made shell necklaces on their "summer holidays at the coast on wet and windy days” in the 1950s and conceivably before that too – and maybe since?
• Shell necklaces are quintessential exemplars of ‘TASMANIANA’ along with Huon Pine, Tasmanian Tigers, etc.
• It was thought that Tasmaniana included “apple seed necklaces” (some even considered the possibility of Aboriginal people making them) BUT it turns out that there are NO APPLE SEED NECKLACES, rather they are IPIL SEED ( the seed of a kind of tropical acacia) necklaces and made in the Philippines – many of which were imported into Tasmania as “hippy beads” (?) in the 1970s. ... click here for more information
  

Any information confirming information above OR information to the contrary would be welcomed by the network.

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Contact information – eMail: shellnecklaces@7250.net

Maireener Shells

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO, ENLARGE

USA SELLER'S NOTES: [She has had 10 shell necklaces] .... "all were maireener shells and I think ... to be very clear about how I came to posses so many is, I go through hundreds of pieces of jewelry every week which boils down to thousands of pieces a month so considering I have so much and it took me almost 10 years to acquire the ones I had makes them extremely scarce. I found one in a second hand store, two at local antique vendor sales, one at an auction and the rest were from various estate sales. Most of the people selling them here have no idea what they are just as I didn't. Not all the necklaces were exactly the same, some of the shells were an opalescent white color and one had a very light red or pink tint but all the rest were more of a green. The lengths were different as well, some were very long over 60" and some were much shorter. Not all were purchased by [the Tasmanian buyer], she bought 3 of them. Some of the others were sold to Australian buyers and the rest stayed here in the states."

The shells that the seller says were "light red or pink tint" may have been necklaces originating from 'The Martins' – either direct from Hobart or via Honolulu – or another maker of 'Hobart Necklaces' and dyed with aniline dye – click here – NB: More distinctly dyed examples exist in a Tasmanian collection.

Also, Aboriginal makers' use of dyes at a similar time to the Martins et al – Butterfield? – click here – cannot be discounted.

Somewhat curiously "maireener" – albeit spelt variously but not usually 'marina' – has entered the eBay lexicon to describe these shells no matter where they are in the world. Sellers are typically researching on the internet it seems and picking up Tasmanian site and site where contemporary Aboriginal makers are selling their necklaces.

Found on eBAY: Maireener Shell Necklace – UK 2

This necklace poses some interesting problems. Firstly, the shells almost certainly Tasmanian but their colour is more extreme, and more 'purple' than the 'natural' maireneer shells used by Aboriginal makers. The shift in colour could be accounted for if these shells were dyed . It is thought that non-Aboriginal makers did use aniline dyes to enhance the shells' colour – 1900-1940s(?).

While the seller suggests that the ribbon here is a European(UK?) addition as a part of a restringing, there is another possibility. It seems that ribbon ties such as this had some currency in Hawaii and it possible that the Martin family used the device in their Honolulu operation.

As we keep finding, things move around the world! In any event this necklace is coming home. A Tasmanian member of 'The Network' won the eBAY auction and it will therefore be available for a range of tests. As we keep saying, watch this space!

eBAY Find – Maireener Neclace, Southern UK

The seller here did "not know much more about this fine vintage necklace other than it came from an estate in south England with some other vintage jewellery ... it's stunning quality and such a special piece it came in the jewellery box as pictured with an English manufacturers retail stamp ... I have sent many mother of pearl items to Australia ... [this necklace]deserves to be housed in a museum."

The 'Art Deco' reference here may be a useful clue or may turn out to be something of a 'red herring'. In Tasmania such necklaces did have a kind of fashion currency in the late 1940-50s as "Tweed & Twinset accessories." The necklaces have had souvenir currency since G. A. Robinson's time in Tasmania – 1830s. It is also very likely that these shell necklaces were being exported to the UK between the two World Wars by the Martin family, [1] and possibly other makers as well, in relatively large numbers.

There is circumstantial evidence for the maker's description. However, it is clear that the shells came from Tasmania given that their distribution is confined to Tasmanian and Bass Strait waters.

Found via eBAY _ Maireener necklace in the USA

Click on an image to enlarge

Click on an image to enlarge

It is truly amazing that this necklace has turned up in the USA. In Tasmania they have been regarded as being rare albeit that Aboriginal women are making them again but not in large numbers.

As will be noted from earlier posts there is the possibility that necklaces like this one were made in quite large numbers in Tasmania by non-Aboriginal makers from the late 1870s. and up until the 1950s(?).

Evidence is beginning to appear that suggests that some of these necklaces were being exported and that either shells or necklaces or both were being exported to Hawaii early in 20th Century.

Watch this space for developments.

Found on eBAY: Shell Necklace – TAS

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The description here is interesting. Here it seems that the word "maireener" is being used to describe the type of necklace and lend 'Aboriginality' to it. 'Maireener' has most often been used in the Tasmanian Aboriginal community to describe a kind of shell rather than a kind of necklace but it has been used both ways. This necklace is typical of the necklaces produced on Tasmania's Bass Strait Islands by Aboriginal women. Interestingly it does not contain any shells described by these women as "maireeners". Watch this space for more information.

CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

This necklace was offered for sale by the same seller but it does include "maireener" shells. Indeed, there are two kinds of maireener shells. The larger ones are known as "king maireeners" and the smaller shells are those typically referred to as "maireeners". On the balance of probability this necklace originated on the Bass Strait Islands and made by an Aboriginal maker.

Nonetheless, without clear provenance that 'Aboriginal' authenticity is unclear given that it is now known that 'the Martin family' were making large numbers of shell necklaces similar to this one albeit not necessarily with 'king maireeners'. They were doing so in Hobart between 1875 and circa1950s.This necklace is typical of necklaces produced on the Bass Strait Islands by Tasmanian Aboriginal women. The shell are called 'rice shells' and 'toothies' by the makers. All shell names are vernacular names used by the Aboriginal women who collect and thread them.

Watch this space for more information and see earlier posts for more information.