Chest Ornament (Tema)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-chest ornaments
Date19th to 20th Century
Made AtTemotu Province, Solomon Islands
MediumClam shell, tortoise shell and plant fiber
Dimensions13 × 4 3/4 × 1/2 in. (33 × 12.1 × 1.3 cm)
Credit LineBowers Museum Purchase
Object number2002.19.6
DescriptionThis pectoral ornament, the vernacular name for which is Tema, comes from the Santa Cruz Islands in the nation of Solomon Islands. Men worethese white tridacna clam shell discs on their chests during ceremonies as well as during combat. In recent times, these discs were worn by young men during their initiation rites. Typically, the tema have a turtle shell overlay which likely depicts a frigate bird with abstract fish or dolphins.Shells are often used for decoration throughout Melanesia. Often traded from one family to the next, shells can be traded deeper into the forest and higher into the mountains over generations. Consequently, some shell ornaments have been dated at several hundred years old. A variety of shells such as bailer or clam shells are used as ornamentation to cover either the chest or pubic area of the body.
On View
On viewCollections
mid to late 1800s
19th to 20th Century
mid 20th Century
20th Century
mid 20th Century
mid 20th Century
19th Century
mid 19th - early 20th Century
