Prestige object "tabua" ·  Fidji Islands · ID: 3040063

Description

whale tooth, yellowish-brown patina, attached to knotted cord from coconut fibre, traces of usage and old age;
Fijians highly prized wale teeth and presented them as marriage tokens, marks of esteem, signs of atonement and gifts in requesting a favour. “Tabua” are still important Fijian identity markers, and many families hold them as heirlooms that are carefully stored and brought out for special occasions.

Comparing literature

Kaeppler, Adrienne, Polynesia, Honolulu 2010, p. 214

Notices

This object is subject to CITES. Please note that it can only be sent within the European Union. At the present time export in third countries is prohibited, respectively, export licenses in third countries for objects containing or made of protected materials are only granted under stringent conditions.