Shilluk bead

Shilluk bead
Other views of this artifact:


Accession Number:
1946.8.105
Country:
Sudan
Region:
[Southern Sudan]
Cultural Group:
Shilluk
Date Made:
By 1946
Materials:
Glass , Bead
Process:
?Drawn
Dimensions:
Max L = 14.7 mm Max W = 13.9 mm Max H = 12.2 mm Max Diam [thread hole] = 4 mm
Weight:
3.5 g
Other Owners:
Charles Gabriel Seligman
Field Collector:
Charles Gabriel Seligman ? & Brenda Zara Seligman
PRM Source:
Brenda Zara Seligman
Acquired:
Donated August 1946
Collected Date:
By 1946
Description:
Spherical bead with convex sides and a medium sized thread hole running through the body, slightly off centre. This has smooth, straight cylindrical sides. It has been made from a translucent bluish white glass, but this appears yellow when held up to the light. The thread hole is cylindrical and smooth sided, and several small bubbles may be seen suspended in the glass body; the bead may therefore have been manufactured by being drawn. There are several small chips missing from the surface; the object is otherwise complete. It measures 14.7 by 13.9 mm around the body, has a height (along the axis of the hole) of 12.2 mm, and the thread hole has a diameter of 4 mm at one end, and 5 by 4 mm at the other end, with a weight of 3.5 grams.

Collected by Charles Gabriel Seligman and donated to the museum in 1946.

The Lotuko wear a similar bead hung on a hide necklet (see 1934.8.70-71); another bead of this type in the collection came from the Dinka (1934.8.22), and further examples were collected by D. Gunn at Omdurman (1903.16.81 and 1903.16.84).

Rachael Sparks 30/9/2005.

Primary Documentation:
Accession Book Entry [p. 146] - MRS. SELIGAMN, COURT LEYS, TOOT BALDON. [p. 148] 1946.8.105 - ANGLO-EGYPTIAN SUDAN, SHILLUK (almost certainly). Bluish opalescent glass bead, much worn.

Card Catalogue Entry - There is no further information on the tribes catalogue card [RTS 23/7/2004].

Old Pitt Rivers Museum label - d.d. Mrs Seligman 1946.8.105 [rev] almost certainly Shilluk (BZS) [tied to object, RTS 19/4/2004].



 
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