Solomon Islander. <em>Ornament (Ulute or Papafita)</em>. Shell, pigment, 1 1/4 x 1 9/16 in. (3.1 x 4 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Ella C. Woodward Memorial Fund, 40.921. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, CUR.40.921.jpg)

Ornament (Ulute or Papafita)

Artist:Solomon Islander

Medium: Shell, pigment

Geograhical Locations:

Dimensions: 1 1/4 x 1 9/16 in. (3.1 x 4 cm)

Collections:

Accession Number: 40.921

Image: CUR.40.921.jpg,

Catalogue Description:
Shell ornament worn on a string around the neck. White, somewhat elliptical in shape with incised decoration which was blackened. Near the edge are two fringed lines, the fringes being turned inward and those of the two lines alternating. This kind of a line is used in the rest of the decoration. Within this border is a conventionalized frigate bird design, the heads of two birds being shown in profile with conventional extension of the wings. The third bird is highly conventionalized without any evidence of a head. There is a hole perforated in the top of the disc for suspension.

Brooklyn Museum