Santa Cruz Islander. Ornament (Kapkap), 19th or early 20th century. Tridacna shell, tortoiseshell, fiber, 4 1/2 x 4 x 1 in. (11.4 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1031. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X1031_transp6138.jpg)
Santa Cruz Islander. Ornament (Kapkap), 19th or early 20th century. Tridacna shell, tortoiseshell, fiber, 4 1/2 x 4 x 1 in. (11.4 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1031. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.X1031_print_front_bw.jpg)
Ornament (Kapkap)
Arts of the Pacific Islands
CULTURE
Santa Cruz Islander
MEDIUM
Tridacna shell, tortoiseshell, fiber
GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATIONS
- Possible place made: Santa Cruz Island, Temotu Province, Solomon Islands
- Possible place made: Gulf Province, Papua New Guinea
DATES
19th or early 20th century
DIMENSIONS
4 1/2 x 4 x 1 in. (11.4 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm) (show scale)
COLLECTIONS
Arts of the Pacific Islands
ACCESSION NUMBER
X1031
CREDIT LINE
Brooklyn Museum Collection
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Shell ornament (kapkap) is a breast or forehead ornament composed of a clam shell disk with a separate circular overlay of tortoiseshell that has been intricately carved with geometric forms in concentric bands. Through holes made in their centers, string passes holding the two pieces together. This particular piece is a clam shell disk on which is placed an intricately carved, circular piece of tortoiseshell (dia: 3 7/8 in.). Outer edge of tortoiseshell has small projections while center contains complex concentric bands of geometric designs including a band of alternating square and triangular shapes. Centers of both shell pieces are pierced. String passing through centers hold two pieces together. Condition is good. One outer projection missing and one piece on inner ring of design broken. Minor surface dirt and abrasions. Minor chipping.
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is not on view
CAPTION
Santa Cruz Islander. Ornament (Kapkap), 19th or early 20th century. Tridacna shell, tortoiseshell, fiber, 4 1/2 x 4 x 1 in. (11.4 x 10.2 x 2.5 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Museum Collection, X1031. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, X1031_transp6138.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, X1031_transp6138.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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