Fijian Chief’s Split Whale Tooth Ivory Necklace ‘Waseisei’
A Western Polynesia Fijian Chief’s Split Whale Tooth Ivory Necklace ‘Waseisei’ Composed of 25 Carefully Shaped Points (each carved and indivually fully worked out of a larger whale teeth)
Bound with Fine Plaited Coconut Fibre Sinnet Cord
Early 19th Century
Size: 15.5cm long – 6 ins long (max) / 9.5cm long – 3¾ ins long (min)
Bound with Fine Plaited Coconut Fibre Sinnet Cord
Early 19th Century
Size: 15.5cm long – 6 ins long (max) / 9.5cm long – 3¾ ins long (min)
These fantastical necklaces carved from sperm whale teeth were a refinement of the 1810-50 period. The introduction of metal tools together with a regular supply of sperm whale teeth from the visiting European whaling ships meant that these ‘Waseisei’ necklaces soon replaced the earlier type ‘Sisi’ which was composed of whole pilot whale teeth. Although the idea for them originated in Fiji they were made by specialised Tongan and Samoan craftsmen ‘Tunfunga Fono Lei’. Made as chiefly regalia and important strategic gifts, they were much prized throughout the Islands for their beauty.
Ex Finch and Co 2014
Ex Private collection
Ex Private collection
Fijian Chief’s Split Whale Tooth Ivory Necklace ‘Waseisei’
