Found on eBAY_ Maireener shell necklace - Australia, Melbourne

It’d be interesting to know about any additional provenance for this necklace. It appears to be in very good condition.As for the rarity of these necklaces it now seems that this kind of necklace in particular were made ‘commercially’ in quite large numbers in the late 19th C early 20th C by non-Aboriginal makers. This was mostly in Hobart it seems – see earlier posts here.

It also seems that during that time the numbers produced were indeed quite large based upon the evidence of a court case in Hobart 1907 where one John Ward was found guilty of stealing approx 100 dozen of what seems to be this kind of necklaces from the Hobart Wharf. More information can be found on all this in earlier posts.

The QUALITY of this necklace here seems to be very good but as with other such necklaces, unless there is clear and unambiguous provenance for its Aboriginal authenticity, increasingly its authenticity should be regarded as “ambiguous” if Aboriginal authenticity is the value determinant.

There are necklaces in collections – private and public, Australian and internatinal – with clear Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural produdution authenticity – contemporary, vintage and antique. However, it now seems that circumstantial evidence by itself would be insufficent to claim "Tasmania Aboriginal authenticity."

Vintage Aboriginal Mairreener Mariner Shell Necklace

Auction Ended 18 Dec, 2009 19:59:34 AEDST – 13 bids Winning bid: AU $405.00

Seller info: scrimshaw01 (99.8% Positive feedback)
Item number: 380186076930 Item location: Melbourne, VIC, Australia

Found on eBAY: Shell Necklace – USA

INFORMATION CHECK:

"Antique .. circa 1910": Possibly but could be much later ... " Tasmanian Aboriginal": Almost certainly not ... most likely somewhere tropical ... Hawaii? ... The Philippines? ... " maireener shell necklace": Certainly not ... "color and lustre natural": Quite likely ... Reference to this type of shell necklace on THIS LINK has been misinterpreted.

There are so many inconsistencies here yet in some ways the misreadings made outside the cultural context within which a cultural product belongs are forever likely. It is even happening in Tasmania but the 'misreadings' come with very local imperatives to do with complex issues.

The somewhat curious thing with this offering is the use of the word "maireener" and its currency on eBAY. The evidence is beginning to stack up for this being "a convenient truth". Why? What is so convenient? Albeit convenient, if that is what is reflected here, the paucity of research behind the word's use is starting to look like it is something other than curious.

THE DILEMMA: Cultural Heritage Icon or Tasmaniana

CLICK ON THE IMAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS NECKLACE

THE DILEMMA: If this necklace's value depends upon its Aboriginal authenticity its authenticity needs to be established. If that is not possible – as it seems it may not be for a variety reason – there may be a problem if the circumstantial evidence is ambiguous – here it seems to be. The collector here seems to have defaulted to 'the wisdom of the time (1984)' and arguably with relatively good reason to do so. Indeed, he says he "bought these in the Eighties from Lawsons Auctions Sydney or from an old collection." So it seems that this necklace was by-and-large 'collected' for inherent qualities rather than its provenance.

In line with the conventions of the time it seems it was assumed that this necklace was as it appeared to be. In the absence of contradictory information that seems a reasonable assumption. Albeit that it would be quite possibly an unsafe assumption if 'value' depends upon the necklace's Aboriginality or its exotic otherness or even its 'Tasmanianness' – even if in the latter case there is still no evidence to suggest otherwise.

However, if new information comes to light that might question the balance of probability in regard to the circumstantial evidence, then arguably there has been a paradigm shift and the inquiry is in new territory. The 'John Ward Hobart Necklace Robbery [Trial 1908]' seems to change the circumstantial evidence. Given the number of dealers that may now be identified as a result of the digitisation of colonial newspapers (19th & 20th C) it now seems that:

1. Shell necklaces of the kind illustrated here were being made in relatively small numbers by Tasmanian Aboriginal women for cultural purposes and sometimes to be sold to generate supplementary income – it seems mostly on the Furneaux Islands – and continue to be made by them in various place around Tasmania;
   
2. Shell necklaces of the kind illustrated here were being produced commercially, and in large numbers, by non-Aboriginal makers;
3. These shell necklaces – 'Hobart Necklaces' – were being sold throughout Tasmania and being exported in large numbers to mainland Australia as well as abroad – notably Hawaii;
4. The trade in commercially mass produced 'Hobart Necklaces' seems to have been reasonably lucrative and going on possibly as early as 1860, 1875 certainly, 1875 to WW1 and possibly intermittently between WW1 & WW2 and again post WW2 and possibly into the 1960s.

This information in no way discounts the production of shell necklaces – 'maireeners' – that has been a continuous and evolving cultural practice carried on up until the present by Tasmanian Aboriginal people.

The are two distinct activities going on – one Aboriginal and the other non-Aboriginal – and the relationship between the two is yet to be fully explored.

Nonetheless, the ways these necklaces are marketed in the Aboriginal art and antique markets is an issue. It is clear that the Aboriginal status adds value to these necklaces. This has been recently reinforced in Tasmania by the National Trust nominating "the shell necklaces made by Tasmanian Aboriginal women" as Cultural Heritage Icons. Indeed this can be taken as wider community acknowledgement that a necklace's Aboriginal status does in fact add value to it – its Aboriginal cultural cargo is of interest and in turn this lend value to it.

Historically, the context in which Aboriginal status does add value needs to explored in more depth. There is no longer all that much conjecture about the authenticity of the contemporary necklaces– 'maireeners' –made by Tasmanian Aboriginal women. Rather, any diffidence and doubt seems to be bound up in the complex, and somewhat uncomfortable, histories played out in Tasmania in respect to Tasmania's Aboriginal people – and the ongoing social and cultural tensions that come with all that.

Museums in Tasmania have had a particularly uncomfortable relationship with the Tasmanian Aboriginal community. While more productive discourses have begun in the past decade or so the tensions are still evident.

Museums are contentious places. In Tasmania when it comes to negotiating Tasmanianness and authenticity in a museum contentiousness is never far away.

Cultural material exhibited in museums claim authority from the place they are located –Tasmania– and the sanctioned status of the 'official' institution. Authenticity is bestowed (deemed?) upon objects presented in museums that in turn relies upon the authenticating powers of the museum. These authenticated objects are a reflection of some curatorial imperative, which in turn depends upon current wisdom. Even though it might be challenged, and sometimes vehemently, the exhibit wears the cloak of authenticity.

The treatment of Aboriginal people in Tasmania and their culture within Tasmania's museums represent the Aboriginal people variously. Just how they are presented is somewhat dependent upon prevailing political imperatives – and at the more comfortable end of historic conjuncture.

Typically, Tasmanian museum exhibits told their intended audience more about the tensions between the essentially Eurocentric imperatives in stories with Aboriginal issues than anything else. Rather than Aboriginal visions of place – Tasmania – or the Aboriginal people, or their cultural realities, typically 'colonial' perspectives have been privileged – to some extent it remains so.

Given all this it aught not be assumed that the ambiguity now attaching itself to some shell necklaces is something that can go unacknowledged. Neither is it something that is unlikely to be tested. Thus, if Aboriginality is important, and it usually is, the provenance of the piece is very important. If what is important is the necklace's Tasmanianness, then provenance is less important as both Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal necklaces are quintessential exemplars of Tasmaniana with its colonial subtexts.

It is an open question as to the authenticity of this necklace as Tasmanian Cultural Heritage Icon and possibly even its 'Tasmaniana' status given that the shells can be collected in Victorian and South Australian waters – and possibly further afield as well.

eBAY Find – Mairneener Neclace(?) Melb/Australia

PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGE TO ENLARGE

Clearly the Aboriginal authenticity of this necklace is ambiguous for all the reasons discussed elsewhere on this site. It is particularly interesting that attention is drawn to the clasp. Anecdotally, this 'closure' has been referred to in regard to Bertie May's production and specifically for his short necklaces. This necklace may well be such a necklace.

Interestingly "MAIREENER SHELL" is used to lend Aboriginal authenticity to this necklace. Given this, it seems that it is seen as being important in winning the asking price – albeit modest. This is especially so now that contemporary shell necklaces, and presumably vintage/antique necklaces also, with clear Aboriginal provenance have 'Cultural Heritage Icon' status. That has been the case in Tasmania since early November 2009.

Since necklaces with clear Aboriginal provenance are achieving sale prices far in excess of that sought for this necklace the implication is there – intended or otherwise.

There is a clear implication here that while this ambiguity might have been accommodated in the past, 'The Ward Case of 1908' changes that somewhat given the number of commercially produced necklaces involved. Indeed it can argued that dealers have an obligation to acknowledge that an alternative to the authenticity claimed is a possibility IF value is dependent upon Aboriginal authenticity.

Furthermore, the ambiguity needs to be acknowledged in many situations where Aboriginal authenticity is being asserted in the light of The Ward Case, its implications and other unfolding information.

Found on eBAY_ Santa Cruz USA

Interestingly this necklace is not being described as being "Aboriginal". Nonetheless, The Companion To Tasmanian History written by Patsy Cameron, a Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder, is quoted to suggest that it may be – as it could be if there were any provenance to support that idea.

The seller has been contacted via eBAY and we await further information about the necklace and any provenance information that may be available. Here are some extracts from the response ..."Thank you for the information on the necklaces, I have learned so much after posting them on Ebay ... I have an antique & jewelry shop ... I was at a local auction and the necklaces were in a bag of jewelry I was bidding on. I love shells myself and I thought these were striking, they are so fluid and beautifully strung. I hope I have not misrepresented the necklaces as being Aboriginal, I had done some research on line, and a couple of my customers who are collectors thought they were."

This it seems this is consistent with the experience of many eBAY sellers especially those living outside Australia. Given that Tasmanian Shell Necklaces have "Icon Heritage Status" if made by Indigenous Tasmanians it is likely that more will come onto the market. Some unscrupulous sellers may even claim that their necklaces are indeed made by a Tasmanian Aboriginal maker. It may well have been BUT there seems that there is no reliable way of knowing this (well not yet) unless the provenance to support the claim is impeccable. The search continues.

Found via eBAY _ Vintage Tasmanian Kelp Shell/Maireener Necklace – Australia

Click on an image to enlarge it

Click on an image to enlarge it

As for the final selling price for these necklaces we believe that they were moderate no matter what their cultural status may be – Aboriginal, colonial, post WW2 commercial. Whatever their cultural context these necklaces are clearly very ‘collectable’. The restringing cost for such a necklace would not be a great deal less than the price realised.

Indeed, contemporary Maireener Necklaces made by Tasmanian Aboriginal women, and where authenticity and provenance is absolutely clear, these works command prices in excess of most 'commercially produced' “antique” or “vintage” items on eBAY – this is at least the case for those we have watched.

There is further information coming to hand and for those interested in the subject please contact us and we will keep you informed.

BACK LINK TO AN EARLIER POST

For more information please contact the network Email: shellnecklaces@7250.net

Found on eBAY: Maireener Shell Necklace – UK

NOTE: Interestingly the words "Maireener, Tasmanian or Aboriginal" do NOT appear in the description of this piece. They have been used commonly on eBAY in recent times. for necklaces that look like this one Indeed, so commonly that there is a case for the proposition the words are used in a 'value adding exercise' by eBAY sellers.

These shells almost certainly originated in Tasmania and the necklace is typical of necklaces of late 19th & early/mid 20th C commercial production that have been attributed Aboriginal cultural production.

If the circa 1920s is near the mark, this necklace way well have been a part of M M Martins production that was being exported out of Tasmania around that time and earlier. If in fact it was exported to the UK in the 1950s, which it may have been, it may well have been a part of Bertie May's production – more information is coming to light in relation to his operation in the 1950s .

Equally, it may well be an example of 20th C Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural production from the Furneaux Islands. Without clear provenance it is becoming increasingly difficult distinguish between 19th & early/mid 20th C commercial necklace production and Tasmanian Aboriginal cultural production – 19th/20th C.

Typically eBAY sellers have very limited information in regard to provenance when requested to provide any information at all in regard to how they came by these necklaces. This is also the case for when such necklaces turn up at antique auctions in Tasmania.

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

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.

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]

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.

Found on eBAY: Maireener Shell Necklace – UK

CLICK ON AN IMAGE TO ENLARGE

The network has started searching on the internet for references that may lead to new insights into cultural production using Tasmanian shells – and specifically to do with necklace making and 'Tasmaniana'. The necklace above turned up on eBAY and in the UK. There is increasing evidence that a great many necklaces of the kind represented in the image above [bottom] were being produced commercially in Tasmania alongside Tasmanian Aboriginal-[1]-[2]-cultural production.

What is of interest here is that the seller in the UK knew enough about the items they were selling to describe them as being; "Aboriginal" – albeit with a question mark & not Tasmanian – "vintage" and as "Mariner" – albeit not spelt 'maireener' as was possibly intended. Interestingly the word 'maireener' has gained considerable currency and arguably due to the internet and the possibility research cultural products more extensively this Tasmanian Aboriginal word used by the women making their necklaces has entered a wider lexicon.

The glass bead and maireener shell necklace is of interest in that it may have resulted from a 'restringing' in the UK or elsewhere. It is not typical of Tasmanian Aboriginal products. Also the maireener shell necklace has a clasp which also is not typical of Tasmanian Aboriginal products.

Watch this space for developments!