Accession No

Z 3023


Description

Smoked presentation sperm whale tooth (tabua), pierced at the tip (one hole) and at the butt (two holes) for suspension (the cord is now missing). The surface is very smooth and polished with a distinctive red tint, characteristic of smoked tabua.


Place

Oceania; Polynesia; Fiji


Period


Source

von Hügel, Anatole (Baron) [collector and donor]


Department

Anth


Reference Numbers

Z 3023; 1923.H169


Cultural Affliation


Material

Ivory; Tooth


Local Term

Tambua [from catalogue card]; Tabua [Fiji Project]; Tabuadamu [Fiji Project]


Measurements


Events

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card 1 reads [stamped in black ink:] 'FIJI'. [typed:] 'Z-3023. Tabua.' [stamped in black ink:] 'THE VON HÜGEL COLLECTION CIRCA 1875'. [in pencil in the bottom left corner:] '12 a / 31'. [added in pencil:] 'Dep AvH 17 (8) 1923-H169. No entry Dep Reg [+ Hayter's signature]'. A small round red sticker pasted on the card.
Catalogue card 2 reads [handwritten in blue ink:] 'Z 3023. Tambua'.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau


Description (Labels & Markings)
'Z- 3023' and '1923.H169.' inscribed in black ink on one side of the object.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau


Description (Physical description)
Tambua.
Event Date 1/6/1996
Author: maa


Description (Physical description)
Smoked presentation sperm whale tooth (tabua), pierced at the tip (one hole) and at the butt (two holes) for suspension (the cord is now missing). The surface is very smooth and polished with a distinctive red tint, characteristic of smoked tabua. The tip is curving upwards and inwards. The butt of the tooth has a natural crack which, combine to the two holes, makes the object resemble a shark (L. Carreau, 27/12/2012).
Event Date 27/12/2012
Author: maa


Context (Display)
Exhibited: 'Chiefs & Governors: Art and power in Fiji', Cambridge MAA, 7 June 2013 - 19 April 2014.
Event Date 07/06/2013
Author: Remke van der Velden


Context (Analysis)
This object was examined at the ivory identification workshop led by Dr Sonia O'Connor and Dr James H. Barrett, held at the Department of Archaeology, University of Cambridge on 21 September 2018. It was confirmed to be whale ivory.

Event Date 21/9/2018
Author: Lucie Carreau


FM:109505

Images (Click to view full size):