Scrimshaw. Tabua Carved From A Sperm Whale Tooth. Fiji, 19th Century
Tabua from the Fiji Islands (beautiful sperm whale tooth) fashioned into a pendant.
L. 16 cm
Note: In Fijian culture, the tabua is a gift offered during negotiations oras an act of atonement (the people attribute supernatural power to these gifts). Sourced frombeached sperm whales and sometimes from trade, these teeth are therefore rare. Thus, priestsengrave names on them to bestow a kind of blessing. Over time, tabuashave come to be used for weddings, birthdays, or funerals. The discovery and exploration ofPolynesia gave rise to the European art of scrimshaw, which stems from this tradition of tabuas.
L. 16 cm
Note: In Fijian culture, the tabua is a gift offered during negotiations oras an act of atonement (the people attribute supernatural power to these gifts). Sourced frombeached sperm whales and sometimes from trade, these teeth are therefore rare. Thus, priestsengrave names on them to bestow a kind of blessing. Over time, tabuashave come to be used for weddings, birthdays, or funerals. The discovery and exploration ofPolynesia gave rise to the European art of scrimshaw, which stems from this tradition of tabuas.
570 €
Period: 19th century
Style: Tribal Art
Condition: Excellent condition
Material: Ivory
Length: 16cm
Reference (ID): 1786474
Availability: In stock
Print
