Jeanette James - Echidna Quill Earrings

Echidna Quill Earrings hand made by Palawa artist, Jeanette James

The striking jewellery produced by Palawa Tasmanian artist Jeanette James uses the traditional shell stringing technique of the Palawa people – the indigenous peoples of Tasmania. This technique is many thousands of years old and the skill has been handed down to Jeanette from generation to generation.

These contemporary pieces have traditional notions and stylistically draw reference to adornments worn by generations of Palawa women. Jeanette has a license to collect the quills from deceased echidna's, which is required as they are a protected species. The Mariner shells are collected along the Tasmanian coastline and are incredibly rare. Sometimes, to collect the amount of shells required to produce a substantial range of jewellery can take two to three years.

50x10x5mm e, 50g approx

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