Aunty Jeanette James

Aunty Jeanette creates exquisite jewellery using shells and other elements from her beautiful home on Flinders Island, Lutrawita (Tasmania). 

Through traditional stringing patterns handed down between Palawa women matrilineally, she celebrates the exquisite, iridescent maireener shells of her home.

Her work includes contrasting shells such as the black and white penguin shell and the delicate top shell. She also uses striking traditional elements such as echidna quills and eagle claws. These are collected sustainably under license.

Aunty Jeanette's work carries significant cultural value. As one of only a few practising traditional jewellery makers, her work is a testament to Palawa cultural traditions and the importance of passing knowledge through to future generations

The Australian Museum Shop is proud to carry these beautiful pieces.  Her work is held in the permanent collections of Tasmania’s Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, Launceston, the Museum and Art Gallery of the Northern Territory, Darwin, the Art Gallery of South Australia, the Queensland Art Gallery and the Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery, NSW.