'Au tapulu

'Au tapulu. Tattoo implement, narrow blade. 'Au tapulu is a specific type of 'au ta (tattoo implement). It is a smaller tool used for tattooing dots and fine motifs. It is made up of three components: a wooden handle, tortoise shell plate, and a fine tooth comb made from pigs tusk. The tortoise shell plate is narrow and rectangular in size. It is attached to the top of the handle with a nail as well as lashed with nylon fishing line. The comb is the same width as the plate and is lashed onto the plate with nylon line.

Other Name

Au tapulu (Samoan)

'Au ta (Samoan)

Tattoo implement (English)

Place

Auckland/New Zealand

Associated Place

Samoa/Pacific

Accession Number

1991.70

Accession Date

30 Apr 1991

Other Id

53806 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific