Description (Labels & Markings)
'1918.213.68.' inscribed in black ink on the object.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Inscription)
An 'X' incised on the object.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Loan (Exhibition)
Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, UEA, Norwich, October 15 2016- February 12 2017, Fiji: Art and Life in the Pacific
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Labels & Markings)
'Z.3030' inscribed in black ink on the object.
Event Date
Author: Lucie Carreau

Description (Labels & Markings)
'Wala. Aug. 3 1876.' inscribed in brown ink on the object.
Event Date 03/08/1876
Author: Lucie Carreau

Context (Field collection)
Collected 3rd August 1876.
Event Date 03/08/1876
Author: maa

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

Description (Physical description)
Large presentation sperm whale tooth (tabua), pierced at the tip (one hole) and at the butt (one hole), and hung on a braided cord of coir reminiscent of the watabu cords of tanoa bowls. The butt of the tooth is almost oval in section while the tip is circular in section and tapering. The surface is very smooth and polished, but also irregular. Light cream in colour (L. Carreau, 26/11/2012).
Event Date 26/11/2012
Author: maa

Context (Related Documents)
Catalogue card 1 reads [handwritten in blue pen:] '1918 213 (66-73) Fiji. 8 tambua (polished sperm whale tooth, used as tokens of good faith) with ornate loop of plaited coconut fibre: some of the teeth are ground into symmetrical forms + stained red with turmeric. These tambua were presented to the 1st Governor of Fiji (Sir Arthur Hamilton [other side of the card:] Gordon) at the cession of the Islands + on other ceremonial occasions, 1876-1880. [front of the card:] G. A. M. Hamilton-Gordon 2nd Baron Stanmore. (See 1st Card). P.T.O.' [stamped in red ink:] 'CUMAA 19 JUL 1987 TRANSCRIBED'. [back of the card:] '67 = Z 3018; 68 = Z 3030; 69 = Z 3021; 70 = Z 3027; 73 = Z 3029'.
Catalogue card 2 reads [stamped in black ink:] 'FIJI'. [typed:] 'Z-3030 Wala, Namataku, district. Province Tholo West. Tabua. In ink on specimen: - 1918-213-68. Wala X Aug 3 1876 incised. A. H. Gordon, 3 August 1876.' [added in blue pen:] '1918 213 (68)'. [in pencil in the bottom left corner:] '12 A/26'. [added in pencil:] 1918-213 (68) no card'. A small round red sticker pasted on the card.
Catalogue card 3 reads [handwritten in blue ink:] 'Z 3030 Wala, Namataku district. Province Tholo West. Tambua. in ink on specimen 1918-213-68. Wala X Aug 3. 1876. incised. A. H. Gordon 3 August 1876.'
Event Date 26/11/2012
Author: Lucie Carreau

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

Conservation (Assessment Only)
CON.2015.2013 | Assessment Only
Event Date 22/9/2015
Author: kw402

Description (Physical description)
Tabua. Large presentation sperm whale tooth pierced at the tip and at the butt and hung on a braided cord of coir. The surface is very smooth and polished. Light cream in colour.
Event Date 7/12/2016
Author: maa

Conservation ()
CON.2014.182 |
Event Date 1/3/2016
Author: maa