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

Tabua

human history
  • Common Name
    Adornment
  • Other Name

    Whale tooth (English)

  • Description

    Tabua. A ceremonial whale's tooth with a hole drilled at its tip and base areas for suspension, and a suspension cord of box-braided voivoi (pandanus), although in poor condition. An iyau (treasure) of high cultural value to Fijians. Sourced from a tovuto (sperm whale), the tabua is large, curved and ovoid in cross section. The outer surface of the tabua is highly polished and a yellow-orange colour, possibly enhanced through a smoking technique.

    Darker coloured marks around the base of the tabua. Several fine scratches and nicks on the tabua's surface. No inner cavity exposed. The box-braided suspension cord is in brittle condition and broken in two places. Dark coloured fibre connect each ends of the cord to each of the drilled holes in the tabua.

  • Place
    Fiji
  • Accession Number
    1943.59
  • Accession Date
    16 Jul 1943
  • Other Id

    26798.1 (ethnology)

  • Department

    Pacific

Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol,… … Read more

Images and documents

Images

  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply
  • Tabua, 1943.59, 26798.1, Photographed by Jennifer Carol, digital, 01 Aug 2017, Cultural Permissions Apply

Artefact

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