Description:

**First Time At Auction**

South Pacific, Hawaiian Islands, ca. 19th to early 20th century CE. A hand-carved white coral accessory known a palaoa, a neck ornament traditionally worn by both male and female all'i (chiefs). The thick top surmounts a dramatically curved body that, while ambiguous in form, has been posited by scholars to represent a tongue containing the power to speak the law. The hooked pendant was originally worn around the neck with a human hair necklace strand that was fed through the perforated suspension hole through the upper body. Size: 2.1" W x 3.8" H (5.3 cm x 9.7 cm); 6.1" H (15.5 cm) on included custom stand.

Provenance: private Newport Beach, California, USA collection; ex-private Hawaii, USA collection

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#155305

  • Condition: Upper body repaired from several pieces, with small chips and light adhesive residue along break lines. Minor nicks and abrasions to upper body, curved lower body, and peripheries. Light earthen deposits throughout.

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April 30, 2020 8:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $299 $25
$300 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $20,000