Description:

South Pacific, Fiji Islands, ca. 1940 CE. A polished sperm whale tooth known as a tabua with a woven cord made from sinnet attached to both tips of the tooth. The tooth is hand-carved with a name and date "George Mar 4 AM 24.11.1940" other inscriptions, perhaps in Fijian, are carved across the rest of the surface. The tooth is quite dense, and has a lovely orange and yellow hue, which was often enhanced by rubbing turmeric and coconut oil across the tooth, or by heating over a smokey fire. Certainly an interesting piece! Size: tooth measures 8.125" L x 1.75" W x 1.875" H (20.6 cm x 4.4 cm x 4.8 cm), cord measures 32" L (81.3 cm)

US law on whale teeth states must be prior to 1970 to sell. This is approximately 30 years prior, so it is legal to sell; however, we suggest checking your state/country laws for importation from Colorado.

Provenance: private San Francisco, California, USA collection

All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.

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#136863

  • Condition: Fraying to cord where it connects to tooth, and cord is delicate in those areas. Minor abrasions and scratches to tooth. Polished and smooth surface!

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February 11, 2021 10:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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