Gorget, associated with Captain James Cook

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A gorget is a type of collar. This ceremonial example is from Tahiti and is part of a group of artifacts presented by Captain James Cook's widow to Sir John Pringle. Sir John donated the collection to the Museum of the Society of Antiquaries in Edinburgh.

The gorget, which forms part of a ceremonial dress, consists of a framework of cane decorated with three rows of sharks' teeth upon a background of black feathers. At each shoulder are roundels of cane and feathers with pearl-shell discs sewn on top.

Cook's parents were Lowland Scots who lived on Sir John's land before emigrating to England.

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• Online ID: 000-100-103-023-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1956.1025
• Date: 18th or 19th century
  18th/19th century
  
• Material: Gorget / dress, ceremonial
  
• Dimensions: 20.00" W
  
• What: Gorget / dress, ceremonial
  
• Subject: Clothing and personal ornaments
  
• Who:
• Where: Polynesia, Society Islands
  
• Event:
• Description: Gorget from a ceremonial dress, consisting of a semi-elliptical framework of cane covered with plaited sinnet: Polynesian, from the Society Islands, 18th or 19th century
  
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