Tongan/Fijian Sperm Whale Chest Pendant
A Fine Tongan/Fijian Sperm Whale Chest Pendant
A hole pierced at each end for a braided coir cord
Old smooth silky patina of a dark honey colour
18th - Early 19th Century
Size: 4.5cm high, 10cm wide, 2.5cm deep – 1¾ ins high, 4 ins wide, 1 ins deep
A hole pierced at each end for a braided coir cord
Old smooth silky patina of a dark honey colour
18th - Early 19th Century
Size: 4.5cm high, 10cm wide, 2.5cm deep – 1¾ ins high, 4 ins wide, 1 ins deep
The beautiful honey colour of this rare amuletic pendant results from smoking, oiling with scented coconut oil, rubbing with turmeric and being kept from bright light. The worn suspension holes show that it was once worn as a pendant.
Although without the deep mystical and symbolic overtones of the big presentation tabua these pendants functioned as highly regarded amuletic objects.
Although without the deep mystical and symbolic overtones of the big presentation tabua these pendants functioned as highly regarded amuletic objects.
Tongan/Fijian Sperm Whale Chest Pendant
SOLD
