Tabua
human history
Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with a hole drilled at its tip and base areas for suspension. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is curved and very ground down to a point towards its tip. Ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and an ivory colour. Several fine scratches and nicks on the tabua's surface, including. The rim around the base of the tabua is jagged and thin. The hollow inner cavity of the tabua is conical in shape and dark amber in colour.
Accession number: 46121 Last Update: 21 Sept 2018
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- akm.collections.field_type_title_label
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- Te reo Name
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- Common Name
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- Other Name
Whale tooth (English)
- Other Name Type
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- Description
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- Place
- Fiji
- Associated Place
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- Field Collection Place
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- Field Collection Site
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- Collection Date
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- Field Collection Date
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- Accession Number
1971.64
- Accession Date
03 May 1971
- Other Id
44496 (ethnology)
- Other Id Type
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- Department
- Display Room
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- Restriction
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- Type
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