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.

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

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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]