String of cowrie shells
Object Details
- Description
- A string of cowrie shells. There are sixty (60) tan and yellow colored cowrie shells on a string composed of multiple natural-colored strands twisted together. The shells do not create a distinct pattern and they are oriented on the string in varying positions.
- Credit Line
- Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of the Family of William & Mattye Reed
- Data Source
- National Museum of African American History and Culture
- Date
- 1800 - 1968
- Object number
- 2014.182.59
- Created by
- Unidentified
- Restrictions & Rights
- No Known Copyright Restrictions
- Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
- Type
- money
- shell money
- Medium
- shell , string (fiber product)
- Dimensions
- H x W x D: 1/2 × 1 × 34 1/2 in. (1.3 × 2.5 × 87.6 cm)
- Place used
- West Africa, Africa
- Maldives, Asia
- See more items in
- National Museum of African American History and Culture Collection
- Collection title
- William & Mattye Reed Family Collection
- Classification
- Slavery and Freedom Objects
- Jewelry and Adornment
- Coins and Currency
- Exhibition
- Slavery and Freedom
- On View
- NMAAHC (1400 Constitution Ave NW), National Mall Location, Concourse 3, C3 053
- Topic
- African American
- Africa
- Beauty culture
- Clothing and dress
- Commerce
- Slavery
- Trans Atlantic slave trade
- Record ID
- nmaahc_2014.182.59
