"In the South East Solomon Islands the local currency is strings of shell beads. To raise enough money for a marriage gift or compensation for a serious offense people have to borrow them from relatives. These depts bind them together as a community." (Top left image)
"Small decorative medallions with their scenes from classical mythology could be set as jewellery or used to decorate larger decorative pieces candleticks, clocks and boxes.
Based on famous Greek gem designs and sculpture, later examples were based on designs by well known lady ameteur artists.
Collectors had casts made as they were easier to read than the originals." (3rd and 4th images)
Intaglios (Sunk engraving)
