condensed discuss document expanded export feedback print share remove reset document_white enquire_white export_white report_white

Collections Online

Collections record

discuss document export feedback print share gallery-landscape xml

headrest

On display
human history
  • Other Name

    kali (Tongan)

    kali lei (Tongan)

  • Description

    wooden headrest inlaid with 57 pieces of whale tooth. two legs broken.

  • Place
    Tonga/Pacific
  • Accession Number
    1950.128
  • Accession Date
    04 Jul 1950
  • Other Id

    31811 (ethnology)

    537 (Oldman Collection)

  • Department

    Pacific

  • Display Room

    Pacific Masterpieces

Images and documents

Images

  • pillow
  • pillow
  • pillow

Artefact

  • Display location

    Pacific Masterpieces

  • Credit Line
    On loan from Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa. Gift of the New Zealand Government.
  • Public Access Text

    This wooden head pillow, or kali, from Tonga is highly decorated. It is inlaid with 57 pieces of whale tooth. Unfortunately, two of the legs are broken.

    Headrests or neckrests are used by many Pacific people for resting and sleeping, instead of soft pillows. Some claim they help to protect elaborate hair styles but they are also cooler for humid tropical climates. Men use headrests more than women. The amount of decoration is related to the social status of their owners.

  • Cultural Origin

    Tongan

  • Collection
    Oldman
  • Primary Maker

     unknown

  • Place
    Tonga/Pacific
  • Date
    Unknown
  • Media

    wood/plant material

    whale/sea mammal/mammal/tooth/bone

  • Measurement Description
    457.2 x 177.8 x 127mm
  • Measurement Reading

    457mm

    177mm

    127mm

  • Classification

    Headrest

    Bedding

    02 Furnishings

    Headrest

    Bedding

    Furnishings

  • Last Update
    04 Oct 2018
The development of the Auckland War Memorial Museum online collection is an ongoing process; updates, new images and records are added weekly. In some cases, records have yet to be confirmed by Museum staff, and there could be mistakes or omissions in the information provided.

The gift of curiosity

With unlimited free entry to all paid exhibitions, discounted event tickets and exclusive Member-only events, a Museum Membership is the gift that keeps on giving year-round.

SEE OPTIONS FROM $60

The gift of curiosity