Context (CMS Context)
The place name recorded on the catalogue card for this object is Tapiteura. Neither 'Tapiteura' nor 'Tapoteura' are recognised by online databases. The correct place name may be the Tabiteuea atoll in the South Gilbert Islands, Kiribati [Mark Elliott 19/02/2011].
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Helmet made of fish skin with the scales sharp and hard.
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Porcupine fish helmet from Kiribati
Event Date 7/12/2016
Author: maa

Conservation (Remedial)
CON.2016.2141 | Remedial
Event Date 11/2/2016
Author: rah99

Context (Display)
Exhibited in the Spotlight gallery, MAA, in 'The Island Warrior: Coconut Fibre Armour from Kiribati', April 4th– September 25th 2017.
Event Date 04/04/2017
Author: rachel hand

Context (Amendments / updates)
The E J Brill label on this object reads 'No 535a Helm Taputeuea Gilbert'.

This label corresponds to a label found on 2011.93.1 which gives the number 535d, and on 2011.93.2 which gives the number 535b suggesting that the three objects were originally part of the same collection.

There is correspondence from E J Brill in the Museum Volkenkunde in Leiden dated 1896, suggesting this object may be from the 19th Century.

On 18/10/17 this objects was renumbered 2011.93.3 to reflect this.


Event Date 18/10/2017
Author: Alison Clark

Context (Production / use)
On 1/11/17 I-Kiribati cultural expert Natan Itonga visited the collections and said of this object 'the sand on the object may be due to the helmet being buried in the sand in order for the interior flesh to be eaten away by insects. This is a common practice in Kiribati with shells that are used for decoration, and the sand helps to retain the shine on the object of an object. It is more likely that the dry out the skin it would have been hung outside.'
Event Date 2/11/2017
Author: Alison Clark

Research Visit (Anthropology)
RES.2017.2412 | Visit from Natan Itonga, Bryony Onciul and Anna Woodham. Anna and Bryony are on the AHRC project Enduring Connections which looks at climate change in Kiribati. Natan is an affiliate on the project. They are interested in Kiribati material culture
Event Date 2/11/2017
Author: Alison Clark

Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2018.4174 | Assessment Only
Event Date 23/7/2018
Author: Christina Rozeik

Loan (Exhibition)
Royal Academy of Arts, 14/09/2018 to 09/12/2018, Oceania
Event Date 14/9/2018
Author: Rachel Hand

Loan (Exhibition)
Musée du quai Branly-Jacques Chirac, Paris , 11/03/2019 to 07/07/2019, Oceanie
Event Date 11/3/2019
Author: rachel hand

Loan (Exhibition)
Horniman Museum and Gardens, London, 4/12/2021 to 20/6/2022, Hair: Untold Stories
Event Date 4/12/2021
Author: rachel hand

Description (Physical description)
Helmet made of fish skin with the scales sharp and hard. Rounded in shape with a pointed top. Sections of skin form ear flaps with twisted coconut fibre string looped through. The fins of the fish are present.
Event Date 9/9/2022
Author: Annie Tomkins