breast.ornament

Title

breast.ornament

Identifier

Description

Breast Plates. These two objects, each known as a civa vono vono in Fiji, was worn on ceremonial occasions as a sign of rank. No 3 is made of trochus shell, sperm whale tooth and cotton. Cotton was not grown in Fiji and would have been imported from abroad. No 4, is displayed from the back to show how it has been made with sections of sperm whale tooth sewn together with thread made from hibiscus bark.

Date

Early: 1800 Late: 1888

Format

L: 219 mm W: 260 mm

Coverage

Melanesia Fiji

Creator

Macgregor, William Sir

Relation

ivory whale.tooth vegetable.fibre

Contributor

Macgregor, William Sir

Abstract

William Macgregor (1846-1919) served the British Colonial Office for 14 years in Fiji (1875-1888), primarily as Chief Medical Officer, but also holding offices such as Receiver-General, Colonial Secretary, Commissioner of Stamps and Acting Administrator.

UUID

79f3babd-d9b2-4087-8dfb-7320f85e8533

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