Context (CMS Context)
One of 12 sperm whale teeth necklaces, one of which is described as "unusually large" and one "with pendants provided with extraordinary taper points" . The items need to be examined for more individual identification. The Fiji catalogue reference cards have the following entries: "Extract from register 1918.213.1-74: Additions to the Gordon Collections presented by George A.H. Gordon and collected by his father Sir A.H. Gordon during his governorship of Fiji from September 1875 till January 1880. (Sir A.H.Gordon was Governor of Fiji from September 1875 till January 1880. F.J.H)." " Confirm Minutes of the Cambridge Antiquarian Society 18 October 1883, and Accessions Register". Collected by: Gordon.Sir.Arthur.Hamilton-
Event Date 9/7/1987
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Necklace of pointed pendants ground out of sperm whale teeth
Event Date 9/7/1987
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Necklace (waseisei) formed of 26 tusks carved from whale teeth, pierced and the top and strung on a cord of coir. An additional cord of 3-ply plaited coir is woven around the cord and between the top of the tusks. The tusks are curving upwards and tapering. The base colour of the tusk is light cream at the front and back. 'Z- 2729' and '1918.213.5 G34.' inscribed in black ink on the last tusk from the left.
Event Date 25/10/2012
Author: maa

Description (CMS Description)
Necklace (waseisei) formed of 26 tusks carved from whale teeth, pierced and the top and strung on a cord of coir. An additional cord of 3-ply plaited coir is woven around the cord and between the top of the tusks. The tusks are curving upwards and tapering. The base colour of the tusk is light cream at the front and back. 'Z- 2729' and '1918.213.5 G34.' inscribed in black ink on the last tusk from the left.
Event Date 25/10/2012
Author: maa

Context (CMS Context)
Catalogue card 1 reads [stamped in black ink:] 'Z 2729 FIJI'. [typed:] 'Viti Levu. Necklace of whales teeth, "Salu salu" = necklace of flowers, the collector records an alternative name "Ai taube ni tabua", literally a necklace of whales teeth. Worn by the Kai Kolo (Tholo) people of the mountains. Ai Taube = a necklace, ni = of, tabua = whales teeth or ivory.' [added in pencil by Hayter:] 'Dictionary correct spelling should be: AI TAUMBE NI TAMBUA'. [typed:] 'A. H. Gordon circa 1875.'. [added in blue pen:] '1918.213 (5)'. [in pencil in the bottom left corner:] '1/212'. [added in black ink:] '(Centenary Exhibition)'. [stamped in blue ink:] 'SHOW CASE NUMBER 1'. A small round red sticker pasted on the card.
Catalogue card 2 reads [handwritten in black ink:] 'Z 2729. VITI LEVU. Necklace of whales teeth, "Salu Salu" = necklace of flowers, the collector records an alternative name "Ai taube ni tabua", literally "a necklace of whale teeth". Worn by the Kai Kolo (Tholo) people of the moutains. Ai taube = a necklace, ni = of, tabua = whale's teeth or ivory. Dictionary correct spelling should be AI TAUMBE NI TAMBUA. Show Case number 1'. [added in blue pen:] 'C & D. SIR ARTHUR GORDON. D. 2ND LORD STANMORE'. [in pencil in the bottom left corner:] '1/212'.
Event Date 25/10/2012
Author: Lucie Carreau