Larger size Antique TASMANIAN ABORIGINAL MAIREENER SHELL NECKLACE / LEI - 78”

Description

Antique TASMANIAN ABORIGINAL MAIREENER SHELL NECKLACE
/ LEI
- 78”
This is a stunning rare
antique
Tasmanian Aboriginal Maireener Shell necklace / lei.
Most of my shell collection are from antique dealers in England and Australia purchased well  over 15+ years ago.
These shells appear to have some blue dye that has weathered away.
The colors range from a beige base with bright flashes of blues and greens and sometimes lavender highlights depending on the light.
Please view my pictures which are part of my description for measurements (inches and millimeters) and condition.
I enlarged the pictures so you can see details, but keep in mind these shells are small, so the pics appear much larger than the actual shells.
All pictures were taken in daylight and were not adjusted for color so you can see the natural iridescence and variation of the shells nacre.
These shells range in size from
7-10
mm
.
Definitely a larger size.
Lei length is 78"
as they are
39” inches
doubled
(this has no clasp and is worn over the head).
Imagine all the shells needed to make a lei this long!
My pics show the lei wrapped 4x’s for total approx. length of 19.5 inches.
The shells are single stranded on what appears to be old white thread.
They look to be in good condition with some tips missing and some with holes.
This is to be expected as these shells are antique and are rather fragile.
******
The Tasmanian aboriginal women call these
kelp shells
as the shells are found feeding on kelp beds that drift into the Bass Strait during ~ 3 weeks of Tasmania’s Spring season (in the USA that would be our Fall season).
The women
hand pic the shells off the kelp beds and remove the outer layer of shell to expose the natural nacre which is the pearl iridescence color you see.
After the shells are matched for size and color they are pierced for stranding. During the piercing process many of the shells break and become unusable.
It takes many years to collect enough shells each Spring to make a lei. Thus these lei are heirlooms of aboriginal art and are valuable and treasured.
This lei is sold AS IS
,
there are no refunds or returns.
I want only happy buyers
so please, if you would have any questions or need more pics, feel free to email me before you bid.
I will respond to you within 24 hours.
This listing is for USA buyers only
.
Payment is via PayPal only
, and is due within 24 hours of the end of the auction.
We do not start our packing process until after payment is received.
Shipping is FREE
via USPS Priority flat rate
small box with tracking and will be packed with great care.
I require signature for all items as evidence of receipt.  We do not combine shipping to assure sufficient packing to protect the shells.  If there is more than one item in the listing, then all items in the listing will be packed in the same box.
Our family thanks you for your interest in our shells collection.
Have a blessed day!