Photos

Comments

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  Harald March 7, 2013 at 9:11pm

  This is a intricate design for such a bracelet. Most of the time they are plain or little design on it.

  Looks like a Pacific bracelet, Philipines, Indonesia or PNG?
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  Ethnic Embellishments March 7, 2013 at 9:12pm

  Hi Harald, I too was thinking South Pacific, but have no idea where.  It's such a vast area and far from my expertise.
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  Linda Pastorino March 8, 2013 at 5:48am

  This is  from the Phillippines which I think it is and Bontoc ,, I have to look up to make sure only because I have not seen one in a while and memory is failing.. 
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  Linda Pastorino March 8, 2013 at 8:08pm

  Hi, this is from the Phillippines but is from Mindinao and is Bagobo trible from the conus leapardus shell
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  Ethnic Embellishments March 9, 2013 at 12:22am

  Thank you Linda!  I found the decorations and the overall piece very beautiful.  I have never seen a shell bracelet quite as decorated as this one.
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  Joost Daalder March 11, 2013 at 4:45am

  A lovely piece, Hillary, but unfortunately Truus and I can tell you little about it. We are pretty well sure that the shell of which this forms part is the Conus Literatus (or Litteratus), which is IndoPacific, so that in that sense we could establish immediate rapport with the piece. There are armbands of this kind made from that shell in several cultures, including some quite far away from Australia. Incised decoration also occurs on Naga shells. The problem for us is that we don't recognise the STYLE of the decoration. That - in mostly a negative way! - suggests to us that it is from a culture with which we are not particularly familiar. But maybe these comments will just help in a very small way to pursue your quest ... I'd be glad to know myself what this is as (a) I like it anyway, and (b) have a passion for shells and notably shells used as/for jewellery.
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  Joost Daalder March 11, 2013 at 4:56am

  Ah, I see that Linda identifies it as from the Philippines, and of course I have no quarrel with that. Indeed Truus had also mentioned that as one of the possibilities within the IndoPacific area, but I had not looked further. Glad that Linda does remember seeing such pieces (I didn't), and that the problem has been solved - I had not seen her post before I wrote!! Interesting that Harald has also already come close!! I just had not seen any of these posts, and did intend to look further tonight, but now now that I don't need to! Congrats to Linda for identifying it.
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  Joost Daalder March 11, 2013 at 5:13am

  The conus leopardus (not leapardus) is virtually identical to the conus literatus. If this piece had come from Luzon, we would almost certainly have remembered it, as we have collected pieces from that area with considerable keenness. For some reason the Mindanao (not Mindinao) area has always appealed less to us, which is why we were out of our depth with this piece! I am so glad that Linda did know what it is, for it would have taken us quite a bit of time to trace it. It is lovely, too, and it's a great thing to have, Hillary! We like it very much.
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  Ethnic Embellishments March 11, 2013 at 5:23am

  I generally prefer metal over organic materials, but this bracelet, with it's intricate decorations, was very appealing.  I like fine work like this (one of the reasons I like Tuareg work so much), and the patina was lovely, so even though it is not from anywhere that I knew was in my "area" of collecting/ dealing, I just had to get it.  I like shell a lot and collect Mauritanian and Tuareg shell items.
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  Linda Pastorino March 11, 2013 at 6:01am

  

  This is a style of necklace that is very much what is worn in the same area and of a type that is very beautiful.  I have sold several like this.   I have not photographed it yet but I have a headdress from Luzon that has shells and beading like a head band with a long tassel of shells that is quite wonderful.  It is in the shell room..